Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis endured a painful slide out of the first round in the NFL Draft in Kansas City last month, but the rookie has gained the chance to work with one of his childhood heroes from the experience.
The former Kentucky star was tipped as a top-10 selection but he faced the excruciating experience of watching from the green room as no team wrote his name on the draft card until the Titans traded up to the second spot in the second round.
The 23-year-old gunslinger is sure to have a chip on his shoulder as he takes his first steps as an NFL player, but his slide has allowed him to link up with Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, a stalwart of the great New England Patriots teams that Massachusetts native Levis grew up supporting in the early 2000s.
Levis and the Titans' draft class have taken part in the team's rookie minicamp over the weekend, getting down to work with Vrabel and his staff before the intensity rises over the summer ahead of the new season.
After going through his paces with a couple of impressive throws caught on camera, Levis was in high spirits during his press conference and recalled the moment he and Vrabel crossed paths almost 20 years ago, getting the former All-Pro linebacker's autograph.
"Growing up in North Attleborough, Massachusetts up until I was seven, pretty much since I could walk for those few years I was going to Patriots training camp every year, watching those Patriots team and coach Vrabel practice," he said.
"I had a little signed football from him and I told him that story and it's kind of funny. But being a Patriots fan growing up, it's one of the little wrinkles and it's pretty cool."
Vrabel followed Levis to the podium to face local reporters and his response prompted laughter across the room.
"Isn't that nice of me?" he joked. "Must've caught me on a good day, Will. That's what I told him."
Levis has a point to prove going into the new season as he aims to rise from third place on the Titans' QB depth chart behind longtime starter Ryan Tannehill and second-year prospect Malik Willis.
Levis donned the red quarterback jersey with his chosen number eight as the Titans' rookie class wore pads for a scrimmage for the first time since the end of last season, with a video posted on the team's social media giving fans some early signs of encouragement.
After weeks of uncomfortable moments and headlines, Levis was delighted to be back on the field doing what he loves the most.
"Fun," he said of his first taste of action with the Titans. "It's the first time playing ball in a long time and it's the game we all love so the opportunity to come out here and just play and learn has been a lot of fun, and getting to know the guys, the coaches and the offense.
"There's a lot of work to do but we got a lot of good work in the last few days."
