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'A lot of relief' Green happy to be this year's Mr. Irrelevant
Posted: Sunday April 16, 2000 07:41 PM
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- Never mind the title, being Mr. Irrelevant sounds pretty good to Michael Green. The Northwestern (La.) State free safety was the last pick in this year's draft, taken by the Chicago Bears with the 254th pick Sunday afternoon. Mr. Irrelevant, the title affectionately given to the last player in the draft, gets a trip to Disneyland, a banquet and a whole bunch of other goodies as part of the 25th Irrelevant week in June in Newport Beach, Calif. "That's nice," Green said from his home in Ruston, La. "We play golf, we go sailing, have a banquet in honor of me. I'll be treated like a king." It was the second year in a row the Bears got "Mr. Irrelevant," and they got the pick in trades with the Cleveland Browns both times. Chicago gave Cleveland two of its seventh-round picks, getting three of Cleveland's in exchange. Chicago gave up the 209th and 225th picks, getting the 223rd, 232nd and 254th picks from Cleveland. Green, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds, is speedy and aggressive. He hits hard and is tough in bump-and-run coverage. He had 99 tackles last season, broke up 14 passes and had two interceptions last year. He made 104 tackles and had two interceptions his junior season. He also ran track, anchoring the Demons' relay teams, and has a 38-inch vertical leap. "We felt like this kid has as good as speed as (anybody)," said Mark Hatley, Chicago's vice president of player personnel. "He's a physical kid for 190 pounds." Green had heard he would go in the fourth or fifth rounds, and he and his family got nervous the longer the draft went on without his name being called. The Bears finally called just before the last pick was announced, and Green said a huge smile crossed his face. And when his was called on television, Green said he jumped up. "I was excited," he said. "I just wanted to see my name called on TV. It was a lot of relief." As for being Mr. Irrelevant, Green said he's not offended by the title. "My dream came true," he said. "Now I just have to finish it."
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