National Football League

Second-rounder Golson turned down $1 million from Red Sox out of high school

Published May. 5, 2015 11:15 a.m. ET

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A gamble by new Steelers cornerback Senquez Golson has paid off.

Golson was drafted to play baseball out of high school in the eighth round by the Boston Red Sox. He was offered over $1 million to sign and forgo his collegiate career, and thereby any hopes of playing football.

While a million bucks would likely be hard for any high school senior to pass up, Golson could not give up his true love.

"I took a million dollar gamble to go to school, play football, play baseball and get an education," Golson told the Steelers' official website. "It was not about the money, but to go in the second round and be selected by the Steelers, it's a blessing, doing what I love to do. I took a gamble and came out with something extra."

Golson was unsure if he had enough passion for day-to-day grind of a full baseball season, and says that was a key factor in his decision to bypass the money to play both sports at Ole Miss.

"My deciding factor not to play came when I asked myself what I could see me doing every day," he said. "Football, I could play year round, I could play football every day. There is something about football that I love. Football is a passion that burns in me."

Golson intercepted 10 passes his senior season on the way to earning first-team All-America honors. Now he's ecstatic about realizing his dream, and he judging by the reaction for his selection at his draft day party, he has plenty of supporters.