Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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MEN OF STEAL of Notre Dame's biggest NFL surprises A look at some Wide receiver David Givens turned out to be a savvy pick by New England in the seventh round in 2002, helping the Patriots win back-to-back Super Bowls in 2003 and 2004. PHOTO COURTESY NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS T BY LOU SOMOGYI he NFL first round might be consid- ered college football's version of the five-star player. third or fourth rounds, they become four- stars, followed by the two- or three-stars in the latter rounds (currently, the draft is seven rounds long). Who were among Notre Dame's most successful two-star (or even less heralded) NFL prospects since 1936, the year the first draft was held? Here is our top 10 count- down: Then as you get into the second, 10. Ray Lemek, 1956, 19th round, No. 227; and Mike Golic Sr., 1985, 10th round, No. 255 Back in the 1950s when there were 30 in 1961. A famed radio and TV personality on ESPN, Golic battled injuries as an Irish senior while his pro stock dropped. How- ever, he suited up nine years in the NFL while starting along the defensive line next to luminaries such as Reggie White and Je- rome Brown on head coach Buddy Ryan's famed defenses at Philadelphia. rounds and only 12 teams, Lemek was tabbed way down the list. He ended up playing nine seasons, starting four straight years along the offensive line for the Wash- ington Redskins and making the Pro Bowl 9. Steve Sylvester, 1975, 10th round, No. 259 A product of Cincinnati Moeller High, Sylvester started at offensive tackle his last two seasons at Notre Dame, highlighted by the 1973 national title. The pros didn't covet him, and he decided to go into teach- ing instead of playing football — until a friend advised him to give the pros a try. Sylvester played for three Super Bowl champions (1976, 1980 and 1983) while with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, where he appeared in 106 games as the utility man who played every position along the line — including long snapper — and became JUNE/JULY 2012 40