Former Eagles wide receiver Mike Quick.

By MIKE QUICK

It was day two of the 2014 NFL draft.

Sometime ago the Eagles had asked me to go to New York and introduce their second pick as part of the NFL Legends program.

I was honored but having not been involved in the draft process since 1982, I wasn’t quit sure what to expect.

We were in the green room. The young prospects and their families and friends were at their individual private tables. The legends (one from each of the 32 teams) were together at our tables catching up on each others lives and envisioning we’re general manager predicting the picks.

Most young athletes can only dream of being part of such a big day. These men are the best college football players in the country.

Eagles rookie Jordan Matthews. Photo by Ashley Shafer.

They are about to fulfill that life long dream, but it was hard to find even one smile in the room. The tension, anxiety and pressure in the room are just overwhelming. As the picks go off the board you see the entire spectrum of emotions. Many of the day two prospects were told they would be gone in the first round or on day one, disappointment had set in.

Finally the moment comes and the Eagles are on the clock. I’m whisked away from the green room to the staging area for my instructions.

When the 45th pick of the 2014 NFL draft comes out I’m more than pleased.

He is Vanderbilt’s star wide receiver Jordan Matthews. Matthews is the prototypical wide receiver for this era in the NFL.

His anxiety and tension are quickly transforms into exuberance and all out joy.

In perhaps his biggest moment thus far, he handled himself with such class and maturity.

Most importantly he understands that this is just the beginning and not the culmination. Man, I can hardly wait to watch him perform and live out his dream in the National Football League.