Irvin critical of Winston, Mariota's decision to decline draft invite
Thursday night, future NFL stars will learn which team they will start their pro-football career with during the draft. While many of these former college stars will look forward to walking across the stage in Chicago when their name is called by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, two of the possible top picks - quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota - will not be attending.
The two potential top picks opted to be with their families instead of with their peers in Chicago, something that Hall of Fame former Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin wishes wasn't the case.
"I understand you want to be with your family, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, but you're a quarterback. Nobody profits more from this league than quarterbacks and I do have an issue with them not being there," Irvin told USA TODAY Sports. "This is a family. You're coming into something that is much bigger than you. Don't big-time it, and that's what I feel is being done."
Irvin and fellow hall of famer Cris Carter, are speaking with the group of draft invitees in attendance in Chicago about life and struggles many players deal with as a professional athletes with both having their own problems during their times in the league. While Mariota's off-field record appears to be spotless, Winston's has run into some problems during his college career and Irvin feels the former Florida State standout is missing out on the valuable information he has to offer.
"I think Jameis would benefit especially from the opportunity to talk to guys like Cris and I," Irvin said.
Irvin also said the opportunity to attend the draft as a top pick is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that the two potential tops picks will never get to experience again.
"Also just being there and seeing it. He won't get what he's getting to be part of. You see [fans] wrapped around the building, sleeping there, to get there. You see what it means to them," Irvin said. "I absolutely hate the fact that they're not coming. Everyone will get on me, oh Michael they can make this decision. Yeah, they can. But I can make the decision to hate the fact that they made it."
Follow Shawn Ramsey on Twitter: @ShawnPRamsey
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