Videos have emerged showing the life-changing moment first-round NFL draft picks got the call letting them know they had made the cut.
Although the league invited 22 elite prospects to attend the first round of the draft on Thursday night in Arlington, Texas in person, a number of top picks found out the news over the phone or from television.
That included the number one overall pick, Texas native Baker Mayfield, who was with loved ones when he got the call.
For each of the first round’s 32 draft picks, it means a contract worth nearly $10million at a minimum, according to estimates from Spotrac.
#1 Baker Mayfield – Cleveland Browns
Browns head coach Hue Jackson (left) called the 23-year-old Oklahoma quarterback Mayfield (right) and told him he was about to be the number one overall NFL draft pick
Mayfield’s supporters erupted in celebration at the news, worth an estimated $32,683,750
Browns GM John Dorsey and head coach Hue Jackson called the 23-year-old Oklahoma quarterback to let him know he’d been selected as the first overall pick of the draft.
‘Hey congratulations – no crying. It’s an exciting time for you and your family, we’re all excited you’re a Cleveland Brown,’ said Jackson over the phone to Mayfield, who was surrounded by his family.
Mayfield pumped his fists in the air as his family members cheered.
The Heisman Trophy winner began his college football career as a walk-on player for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
His contract with the Browns is worth an estimated $32,683,750.
#9 Mike McGlinchey – San Francisco 49ers
Notre Dame tackle McGlinchey is seen before (left) and after (right) getting the draft news
McGlinchey’s friends and family celebrate as he dons a 49ers hat in triumph at the news
Notre Dame tackle McGlinchey hadn’t been much discussed as a high pick until a day or two before the draft.
McGlinchey was at a draft party with friends and family when 49ers GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan called to let him know he was their first round pick.
‘Fired up man, we really are,’ Lynch said. ‘We’ve enjoyed getting to know you through the process. You’re going to do great things here, man, and we’re super excited.’
McGlintey teared up as his family burst into cheers and embraced him. His contract with the 49ers is worth an estimated $18,342,124.
#13 Da’ron Payne – Washington Redskins
Payne (center) found out he’d been drafted while watching TV with his friends and family
The room burst into cheers at the news that the 20-year-old Alabama defensive tackle would be the Redskins’ first-round pick
The 20-year-old Alabama defensive tackle was at a draft watch party with his friend and family when the news came across the television – Payne would be the Redskins’ first-round pick.
Payne smiled, looking stunned, as his supporters erupted into cheers around him in video captured by AL.com.
Family gave him hugs, handshakes and high-fives as he processed the news.
Payne’s contract is worth an estimated $14,418,662.
#20 Frank Ragnow – Detroit Lions
Ragnow and his mother sat huddled together waiting to hear news from the NFL draft
‘I could feel my mom right next to me crying, I could feel the room lighten up. It’s really a feeling that I’ll never be able to re-live,’ Ragnow recalled in an interview
The 21-year-old Arkansas center took a phone call from Lions coach Matt Patricia and owner Martha Ford as his family surrounded him in hushed silence.
‘Ready to roll,’ said Ragnow, before adding: ‘I’m so honored. Thank you very much’.
Ragnow’s loved ones burst into cheers at the news.
‘It’s really hard to describe,’ Ragnow told KNWA of the moment he was drafted.
‘I could feel my mom right next to me crying, I could feel the room lighten up. It’s really a feeling that I’ll never be able to re-live.’
Ragnow’s NFL contract is worth an estimated $11,780,374.
#25 Hayden Hurst – Baltimore Ravens
Hurst teared up in stunned silence at the news, covering his eyes with his hand
The 24-year-old South Carolina tight end was watching the draft in his living room with his parents and close family.
Then the Ravens called Hurst to let him know he was about to become a first-round pick.
Hurst teared up in stunned silence at the news, covering his eyes with his hand.
His contract will be worth an estimated $11,036,241.
#26 Calvin Ridley – Atlanta Falcons
Ridley sat shedding tears as his family embraced him, whooping and shouting
The 23-year-old Alabama wide receiver was surrounded by loved ones when he got the call from Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Dan Quinn.
‘Hell yeah I’m ready,’ Ridley said when Dimitroff asked if he was ready to come to Atlanta.
Ridley sat shedding tears as his family embraced him, whooping and shouting. His contract is worth an estimated $10,900,923.
#27 Rashaad Penny – Seattle Seahawks
Penny choked up with tears at the news as family members huddled around him
The 22-year-old San Diego State running back donned a Seahawks hat and jumped for joy
The 22-year-old San Diego State running back got the news that he was a first rounder in a phone call.
Penny choked up with tears at the news, and moments later his friends began to scream and jump in the air, video shot by Fox5 shows.
His contract will be worth an estimated $10,765,646.