From being the last pick in the NFL draft, to starting QB: Brock Purdy’s Journey

18 May 2026 · 1 min

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In this narrated segment, Dan Novaes explains the NFL’s “Mr. Irrelevant” tradition, which began in 1976 when former player Paul Selada created a light‑hearted ceremony to honor the final pick of the draft. He notes the first Mr. Irrelevant, Kelvin Kirk, and describes how the tradition now includes Irrelevant Week, special ceremonies, and even a nod to the Heisman Trophy. Novaes then shifts focus to Brock Purdy, the 2022 draft’s final pick, who defied expectations by becoming the San Francisco 49ers’ starting quarterback. The piece frames the story as an inspirational example that draft position merely opens a door, while performance determines longevity, and ends with a call to follow UBK for more entrepreneurial‑style stories.

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The last pick in the NFL Draft gets a nickname no athlete wants: Mr. Irrelevant. But that title has become one of the coolest traditions in sports. It started in 1976, when former NFL player Paul Selada decided the final draft pick deserved recognition, not ridicule. After all, thousands of players dream of hearing their name called. Only a few hundred actually do. The very first Mr. Irrelevant was Kelvin Kirk, selected 487th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yes, the draft used to be that long. Today, the tradition includes Irrelevant Week, special ceremonies, and the famous Heisman Trophy. It's sports with a sense of humor. But here's where the story gets even better. The title no longer means what it used to. Brock Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 draft, completely rewrote the narrative. He went from Mr. Irrelevant to franchise quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, a reminder that draft position can open the door, but performance determines how long you stay in the room. For more entrepreneurial stories and information like this, follow UBK.