The NFL Draft has been described by many players as 'life-changing' and at the very least unforgettable. Currently on the Kansas City Chiefs roster are six players who were drafted by the team in the first round. I caught up with the guys and asked them to recall their draft-day memories.
Chiefs LT Eric Fisher - 2013 NFL Draft - No. 1-overall pick
"It was just beyond my dreams. That night was a pretty emotional night. A lot of hard work led up to that. A lot of dreams came true. After NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said my name, I kind of went blank. It was a surreal experience, a lot of media, right after, and just a very memorable moment."
Chiefs DT Dontari Poe - 2012 NFL Draft - 11th-overall pick
"I was nervous. When you wake up that morning, you have a lot of cameras around you, but just the whole situation, it's a blessing to be in, but at the same time, it's business. It's a nerve-racking situation to not know where you're going to be drafted. There are a lot of nerves and your family is happy for you, but at the same time, you're thinking in your head, 'This is serious, right here'".
Take a look at the top photos of DT Dontari Poe this season.
Week 2: Sept. 15, 2013 vs Dallas Cowboys
Week 4: Sept. 29, 2013 vs New York Giants
Week 4: Sept. 29, 2013 vs New York Giants
Week 2: Sept. 15, 2013 vs Dallas Cowboys
Week 4: Sept. 29, 2013 vs New York Giants
Week 2: Sept. 15, 2013 vs Dallas Cowboys
Week 12: Nov. 24 2013 vs San Diego Chargers
Week 6: Oct. 13, 2013 vs Oakland Raiders
Week 2: Sept. 15, 2013 vs Dallas Cowboys
Week 14: Dec. 8, 2013 vs Washington Redskins
Chiefs S Eric Berry - 2010 NFL Draft - Fifth-overall pick
"It was just an amazing feeling. It was just a big ball of emotions. It was just an explosion, the day I got drafted and that's why I hugged NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell; I didn't have anyone else to hug, after I got on stage. It was just a wonderful feeling. Everything went silent after that. It was just like, 'The Kansas City Chiefs select Eric Berry' and it was just dead silent after that. I didn't know what to do. I kind of blacked out, after that, to be honest. I just hugged my family. I was so excited."
Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe - 2007 NFL Draft - 23rd-overall pick
"I remember it like it was yesterday. I was in Louisiana. I had my whole family with me and we rented out a hall to do our own thing. I had all my family and close friends. When I got the call, I was telling everybody to be quiet and I said "Hello?" and I was like "Oh, hey coach, what's going on?" they asked if I wanted to be a Kansas City Chief and I was like "Yeah, of course!" All the emotions came after they called. All my family gave me hugs and kisses; it was unforgettable."
Top shots of Dwayne Bowe from the 2013 season.
Chiefs LB Tamba Hali - 2006 NFL Draft - 20th-overall pick
"It was one of the days, when everything you've worked for actually paid off. It was never expected. I never expected to be drafted in the first round or at all. It was one of those days that I'll never forget. I wanted to be a Chief. This organization has such a history with Lamar Hunt and his family and now being a part of it for these 9 years, it has been truly remarkable."
Take a look at the Top 10 Tamba Hali photos from weeks 1-8.
Tamba Hali closing in on Giant's quarterback Eli Manning during the Chiefs 31-10 victory over the New York Giants on September 29, 2013
Tamba Hali pumping up the crowd during the Chiefs 31-10 victory over the New York Giants on September 29, 2013
Tamba Hali prepares for a pass rush during the Chiefs 24-7 victory on October 13, 2013 vs the Oakland Raiders
Tamba Hali eyes QB Terrelle Pryor during the Chiefs 24-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders on October 13, 2013
Tamba Hali eyes QB Eli Manning during the Chiefs 31-10 victory over the New York Giants on September 29, 2013
Tamba Hali with the monster hit during the Chiefs 24-7 Victory on October 13, 2013 vs the Oakland Raiders
Tamba Hali celebrates a sack during the Chiefs 17-16 victory on September 15, 2013 vs the Dallas Cowboys
Tamba Hali on pursuit during the Chiefs 28-2 victory on September 8, 2013 vs the Jacksonville Jaguars
Tamba Hali celebrates a sack during the Chiefs 17-16 victory on October 20, 2013 vs the Houston Texans
Tamba Hali forcing a crucial fumble during the Chiefs 17-16 victory on October 20, 2013 vs the Houston Texans
Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson - 2005 NFL Draft - 15th-overall pick
"It was nerve-racking, knowing that your dream day had arrived. It's the opportunity that you've been waiting for, for a lifetime. To hear your name called and to sit there with your family and friends, it's really a lot going on and a lot going through your head. You think about everything like, 'Who's going to draft you? Are you going to drop in the draft? Are you going early? What city are you going to be living in?'; those are the things that go through your mind, but at the end of the day, after your name is called, there's so much stress relief. Regardless of where you go in the draft, knowing that you have the opportunity of a lifetime is unforgettable."
Top shots of the Chiefs LB, Derrick Johnson from the 2013 season.
The team's latest first-round draft pick is just hours away from being revealed, when the Chiefs are scheduled to select at #23.
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