Being selected in the NFL draft can mean accomplishing a lifelong goal, and for one first-round pick, it also means taking care of the people who have been there for every step of the journey.
Former TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston was selected as the 21st pick of the 2023 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Chargers, and the moment he found out he was getting picked was captured on video by NFL Films as part of “Hey Rookie: Welcome to the NFL” series.
Johnston, who was at his own draft party in Dallas, was overcome with emotion when the pick was announced, as the crowd erupted in celebration. His mom, who was by his side, said: “That’s my baby!”
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Afterwards, Johnston had a message for everyone at the party: it’s time for mom to retire.
“I just want to give a big shout-out to my mom. She’s gonna be putting her two weeks notice in today. She can retire,” Johnston said. “I don’t want you to work another day.”
Johnston and his mom then hugged, as she told him she was so proud of him.
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Johnston’s contract is projected to be valued at $14.2 million, according to Over the Cap.
“You can get prepared for a moment so much, but you’ve never been there,” Johnston said. “Once you’re there, it’s a completely different feeling. I wasn’t expecting to have the emotions that I had, but it was a great feeling.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chargers receiver Quentin Johnston: Mom ‘can retire’ after draft pick