Irrelevant or Not, It's Draft Time

Scouts, analysts, and fans are calling the 2021 NFL Draft the most unpredictable one yet.

Rumors are starting that teams are wanting to trade late-round picks in the 6th and the final 7th round for selections next year since there is such little information on these prospects because of the coronavirus-delayed and shortened college football season.

The unorthodox college football season and offseason has the folks at Irrelevant Week absolutely thrilled for Mr. Irrelevant XLVI. This year’s Mr. Irrelevant could very well be the ultimate underdog given the circumstances stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’m excited about this Draft in particular just because of how inconsistent the college football season was,” said Alix Fitch, a key staff member at Irrelevant Week and the daughter of Irrelevant Week CEO Melanie Salata Fitch. “It just makes it that much more unique to see who really shines and goes in the Draft. You might have to look at players from smaller schools and not the traditional Power-5 programs. I’m hoping the NFL coaches put that perspective on their lens. It should be really exciting.”

The Irrelevant Week staff is also excited about the opportunity to celebrate this year’s Mr. Irrelevant as regulations and restrictions are being lifted across the nation while the U.S. continues its fight against COVID-19.

Last year marked the first time in Irrelevant Week history that Irrelevant Week did not take place. New York Giants linebacker Tae Crowder, aka Mr. Irrelevant XLV out of the University of Georgia, was featured in a recent ESPN.com story and said he regrets missing out on the annual Lowsman banquet and trip to Disneyland that traditionally comes with the honor.

Crowder, however, embraces the Mr. Irrelevant moniker. He keeps the watch, trophy and gear sent from Melanie Salata Fitch at Irrelevant Week prominently displayed in his New Jersey apartment.

Crowder is expected to be a big-time contributor on a young and up-and-coming Giants defense after logging six starts as a rookie in 2020. Before a midseason hamstring issue landed him on injured reserve, Crowder recorded 34 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery that went for the game-winning touchdown against the Washington Football Team in the Giants’ first win of the season in Week 6.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, defending Super Bowl champions, have the final pick (for now), No. 259. “We’re passionate and persistent about getting to celebrate him,” said Melanie Salata Fitch, the daughter of Paul Salata, who created Mr. Irrelevant 46 years ago. “It was just hard to do last year. Tae doesn’t know what Irrelevant Week is like. But he was excited to get the gifts.”

Paul Salata, 94, made sure over the last 45 years to celebrate the underdog and support various charities. He thoroughly enjoys presenting Mr. Irrelevant with the Lowsman Trophy, an award that features a bronze football player fumbling the football.

There have been no fumbles when celebrating Mr. Irrelevant throughout the years. In 1978 and 1980, Salata helped improvise celebration plans so that Irrelevant Week could go on.

In 1978, Mr. Irrelevant III Lee Washburn, a Montana State offensive lineman selected by the Dallas Cowboys, suffered a back injury that put his attendance for Irrelevant Week in doubt.

Despite this, the Irrelevant Week staff went to the next last pick of that Draft, No. 333 of the 12th round, Northern Colorado quarterback Bill Kenney of the Miami Dolphins. Washburn ended up being able to travel for Irrelevant Week that year, and both were celebrated. 

In 1980, Florida A&M offensive lineman Tyrone McGriff was picked last by the Pittsburgh Steelers, however, he instead went to play for the Canadian Football League. No matter, Arkansas quarterback Kevin Scanlon became the honoree as he was the next-to-the-last pick by the Los Angeles Rams.

If the Bucs trade their last pick, the Irrelevant Week staff is prepared to pivot to make sure the celebration goes on. There’s even a generic Mr. Irrelevant jersey made if that’s the case.

Whatever happens, it’s irrelevant.

Written by Steve Virgen