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NEW YORK (April 26, 2003) -- Not long ago, Byron Leftwich was being talked to and about as the possible No. 1 selection in this year's NFL draft, but the former Marshall University quarterback has no complaints about the way things worked out.
Passed over by the Cincinnati Bengals at the top spot in favor of USC quarterback Carson Palmer, Leftwich dropped to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 7 and claimed, with a straight face creased by a wide grin, they were his first choice all along.
"My goal was never to be the No. 1 draft pick," he said. "My goal was to have an opportunity to play in the National Football League with the best football players in the world. Now I'm going to have that opportunity. ...
"I kind of had the feeling that Jacksonville was the place that wanted me the most. I think I wanted Jacksonville the most, too. Sitting around the Green Room, I told my agent, 'Come on, Jacksonville. Please let me be there when you pick.' I'm just happy to get my wish."
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Passed over by the Cincinnati Bengals at the top spot in favor of USC quarterback Carson Palmer, Leftwich dropped to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 7 and claimed, with a straight face creased by a wide grin, they were his first choice all along.
"My goal was never to be the No. 1 draft pick," he said. "My goal was to have an opportunity to play in the National Football League with the best football players in the world. Now I'm going to have that opportunity. ...
"I kind of had the feeling that Jacksonville was the place that wanted me the most. I think I wanted Jacksonville the most, too. Sitting around the Green Room, I told my agent, 'Come on, Jacksonville. Please let me be there when you pick.' I'm just happy to get my wish."
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