The NFL tried something new on Wednesday night.
For the first time, drafted players were able to choose their own walk-up song as they glided up the stage to shake commissioner Roger Goodell’s hand.
So, hypothetically, if a 275-lb. defensive lineman wanted to mark the moment he entered the NFL with Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” rifting through the Radio City Music Hall crowd, he could make that happen. The list of choices Wednesday was a bit of a mixed bag, containing a couple of head scratchers.
With that being said, here are a few of the more memorable songs.
Player: Sammy Watkins
Team: Buffalo Bills (4th overall)
Song: Drake – “Look What You’ve Done”
Drake was far and away the most popular artist among the prospects looking to join the league. Most of them opted for rap-heavy, celebratory anthems like “We Made It” and “Trophies” — the latter being a call to arms that’s become synonymous with sporting events in the last few months.
As it turns out, Watkins isn’t like most guys.
The former Clemson receiver went with “Look What You’ve Done,” a slow, brooding track in which Drake softly speaks about the relationships he had with his mother, uncle and late grandmother. On a night when his peers went with feel-good tracks full of bravado, Watkins’ decision to go introspective on us stood out.
At least he managed to get an awesome selfie with Goodell.
Lyrics that will define his season: “Oh it’s my time, yeah, it’s on.”
The Bills traded up to get Watkins, so hitting the ground running will be imperative to justify that move. His talents can do a world of good on a team that finished 29th in yards passing. Play like it’s your time, rookie.
Player: Jake Matthews
Team: Atlanta Falcons (6th overall)
Song: Bill Conti – “Going the Distance”
Take a bow, Mr. Matthews. The offensive tackle was the only player in the first round to choose a song with no lyrics and boy did he absolutely hit this one out of the park. Matthews went with Bill Conti’s “Going the Distance,” a timeless classic from the first Rocky soundtrack.
It’s a feel-good, inspirational pump-up tune that proved to be a hit with the crowd and had viewers chiming in on social media. The fact that he topped it all off by wearing a pair of snazzy cowboy boots made it even better.
Lyrics that will define his season: None
It was an instrumental song, and thus, the logical conclusion is that Matthews develops a Rocky-like knack for absorbing blows in his bid to protect Matt Ryan at all costs.
Player: Johnny Manziel
Team: Cleveland Browns (22nd overall)
Song: Drake “Draft Day”
Manziel had to wait a couple of hours to hear his name called but it was certainly worth it. Drake’s popularity among this draft class was evident as five players decided to go with tracks made by the Toronto-born rapper.
However, only one of them has an entire song about them in which Drake says their name right in the middle of the chorus. “Draft day, Johnny Manziel.” It’s simple, catchy and gets to the point fairly quickly. Manziel took to the stage and obliged his adoring fans by doing the OVO-inspired hand gesture that Aggies’ fans know all too well.
Lyrics that will define his season: “Signing off on more deals than a lawyer with a heavy case load.”
Johnny Football recently signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Nike and now that he’s in the NFL, he might look to pursue other commercial ventures. His brand appeal extends further than the boundaries of sport. One gets the feeling he might be signing a couple of more deals by the end of the season.
Player: Odell Beckham Jr.
Team: New York Giants (12th overall)
Song: Lil Wayne – “Sky is the Limit”
Instead of going for a hit song, Beckham decided to throw a curveball by going with fellow New Orleans’ native Lil Wayne’s “Sky is the Limit.” The song is seven years old and reminded listeners of a time when Lil Wayne sounded somewhat like a human being.
The beat is a catchy piano riff and the lyrics exude themes of perseverance, hard work and reaching for the stars — the ideal draft song.
Lyrics that will define his season: “The only thing on a mind of a shark is eat. By any means and you’re just sardines.”
Beckham’s first comments after being drafted were, “It’s time to bring home a Super Bowl, let’s get one.” If those aren’t the words of a shark, I’m not sure what are. You’ve been warned, sardines cornerbacks of the NFC East.