Best Draft Day Money Story: Lawrence Sidbury Jr.
I cover sports business. So that means I care about the money stories.
And that's why I think the best story for this weekend's NFL Draft could be Lawrence Sidbury Jr.
It all depends of course on where the kid gets drafted, but we told you about him before the defensive end from FCS school Richmond ripped it up at the Combine.
That's right. Before he ran the fastest 40-yard dash of all 47 defensive lineman and before he benched 225 pounds a very respectable 28 times, Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post told "SportsBiz," it was Sidbury Jr. who could make the most money from the Combine alone.
Sidbury Jr. began his senior season as a marginal NFL prospect, projected in the sixth or seventh round. First, came the season, one that included 11 1/2 sacks and a national championship. Then the all-star games. Then the combine.
Earlier this week, ESPN's Mel Kiper told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that Sidbury Jr. has a chance to be a second round pick.
If that happens, Sidbury earns himself at least a couple more million than he would have made if he gets drafted late on Sunday.
"I knew coming from Richmond, I had to do something extraordinary to put myself in the position to maybe get called on the first day," Sidbury Jr. told us. "When you come from where I came from, you have to shock everyone."
Aside from picking on the school he went to, Sidbury Jr. said the doubts of his ability came throughout the entire process. He said he didn't worry about it. He just did something about it.
"They said I wasn't fast enough, I had the fastest time," Sidbury Jr. said. "They said I was weak, well, look what I did on the bench press."
Sidbury Jr. said he'll be spending tomorrow at his home in Maryland. He says he's making it Appreciation Day, as he's invited all the coaches who have helped him along the way.
Since we're all about hard work, here's to hoping Sidbury Jr. makes that amazing five round leap tomorrow.
Questions? Comments? SportsBiz@cnbc.com
