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By Lisa Zimmerman
Special to NFL.com
NEW YORK (April 27, 2003) -- The second day of the 2003 NFL Draft is traditionally low-key, with a lot fewer on-site attendees and generally no draftees in the theater at Madison Square Garden.
This year, there was at least one particular hopeful on hand while NFL director of football operations Gene Washington read off players' names. When Washington announced the Detroit Lions had selected University of Kentucky running back Artose Pinner with the second pick of the fourth round (No. 99 overall), there was a stir in the crowd. Pinner himself was in the gallery watching the proceedings, waiting to hear his name called.
His appearance was entirely coincidental. During the Senior Bowl, Pinner suffered a lower-leg fracture and had to have a temporary screw inserted. His visit to New York was originally scheduled because it was time to have the screw removed and his doctor is located in the city.
Once they arrived, Pinner and his agents decided it would be fun to stop by the draft in person. So there he was, in the right place at the right time.
Pinner's cell phone immediately began to ring non-stop. More than five minutes after the selection, he still hadn't been able to call his mother. Finally, he sat down and took a deep breath.
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Special to NFL.com
NEW YORK (April 27, 2003) -- The second day of the 2003 NFL Draft is traditionally low-key, with a lot fewer on-site attendees and generally no draftees in the theater at Madison Square Garden.
This year, there was at least one particular hopeful on hand while NFL director of football operations Gene Washington read off players' names. When Washington announced the Detroit Lions had selected University of Kentucky running back Artose Pinner with the second pick of the fourth round (No. 99 overall), there was a stir in the crowd. Pinner himself was in the gallery watching the proceedings, waiting to hear his name called.
His appearance was entirely coincidental. During the Senior Bowl, Pinner suffered a lower-leg fracture and had to have a temporary screw inserted. His visit to New York was originally scheduled because it was time to have the screw removed and his doctor is located in the city.
Once they arrived, Pinner and his agents decided it would be fun to stop by the draft in person. So there he was, in the right place at the right time.
Pinner's cell phone immediately began to ring non-stop. More than five minutes after the selection, he still hadn't been able to call his mother. Finally, he sat down and took a deep breath.
MORE
