Oklahoma Sooners & NFL Blog

As the NFL Draft headed toward its fourth hour, there was a sense that Joseph, a one time Hallandale High and University of Oklahoma offensive guard, would drop further than most expected. With only standout tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson chosen by the New York Jets, other linemen projected ahead of Joseph, weren't being chosen. Panic began to set in.

For the first time in his life, the 6-foot-3, 313-pounder who had blazed a trail from Hallandale Beach to Norman, Okla., had no control of what was about to happen.

As the food grilled on two barbecues in the back yard of Joseph's home, more and more family and friends filled the living room and poured onto the front porch.

By 4:05 p.m., the front of the Joseph home was packed with cars. There was a fear among those present that maybe that first-round dream that Joseph's management team had promised, wasn't going to happen.

As the 22nd pick was named, the Tampa Bay Bucs were on the clock.

While his cell phone had been ringing most of the day, nobody noticed when Joseph disappeared toward the side of the house as the Bucs were ready with that first selection.

Then, Paul Tagliabue approached the microphone in New York and the Joseph family would never be the same.

"With the 23rd selection in the first round, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Davin Joseph, offensive guard from Oklahoma."

The room went silent for a moment, and then one scream came out and then another, and then finally, pandemonium set in. One of Hallandale Beach's own was a first round NFL selection. Minnie and Elie Joseph could hardly believe their ears.

Two hard working parents from Haiti were rewarded in a major way. Their son had accomplished something that many parents dream about.

The Josephs had raised their son to be respectful of others, do well in the classroom and try as hard as possible to excel in life.

"I told you that he would be picked by Tampa Bay," Minnie said with a smile, entertaining her many guests. "I told you that he would end up there."

As the news flashed across the screen and the entire throng of well-wishers hugged, there was something missing. Davin was still on the phone with Bucs coach Jon Gruden and had missed everything, but it didn't seem to bother him.

"Wow," he said. "This is truly unreal."

While Joseph tried to make his way toward the house, his phone began to ring again and again — Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Miami and Fort Lauderdale all wanted an interview.

Davin's high school football coaches, Bob Wood and Allen Held, were there. His wrestling coach Tom Davis arrived. Former teammates came by and neighborhood kids dropped by, hoping for an autograph.

For the record, the first autograph as a Tampa Bay Buc went to Held who spent a few quiet moments with his two-time state wrestling champion.

"This is a thrill," Held said. "We talk to and see Davin all the time when he is in town, but now, he is a first-round draft pick in the NFL. One of the top 23 players in the nation this year. That is the thing that just floors you."

Friends from Oklahoma came to Florida to be a part of the festivities. Davin's former teammate Jammal Brown, a first-round selection of the New Orleans Saints a year ago, dropped by.

As Joseph grabbed his son, Ali, 2, and walked with the many people who have supported him throughout the years, he realized just how blessed he was.