NEWPORT BEACH, CA — There’s nothing like rooting for the underdog in sports, and one of the biggest underdogs each year is the last man selected in the NFL Draft. Meet “Mr. Irrelevant,” drafted at #257 by the New York Jets: Jaylen Key.
The moniker may seem like a slight, but as many NFL fans know, being the last selection in the draft is an honor. While Key visits, he will help the Mr. Irrelevant Week Foundation raise funds for local charities and youth groups. The 2024 beneficiaries are the Children’s Hospital of Orange County and the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation.
According to event organizers, fans can greet him as he takes a private surf lesson on Thursday at 9 a.m. on 30th Street.
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During his stay, Key has gone jet skiing and sailing, visited an Angels game, and received the famed Lowsman Trophy (a parody of the Heisman Trophy), among other things.
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Tuesday night, the Newport Beach Police Department and community leaders celebrated him at dinner at The Cannery in Newport Beach, where he was “roasted and toasted,” organizers said.
Wednesday, Key and others joined the Newport Run Club to run towards the Wedge and back. For dinner, he’ll be at 22nd Street Pizza, Baja Sharkeez, and take part in the Ben Carlson Statue Run, along with other activities.
On Thursday, the final day of the celebrations, there will be a beach party at 30th Street, where Jaylen will learn to surf on a custom board at 9 a.m.
Irrelevant Week began in 1976, the brainchild of NFL alumnus and philanthropist Paul Salata.
“Over the past 48 years, Irrelevant Week has become a much-anticipated and beloved celebration honoring football’s underdog while also making charitable contributions to the community,” according to a statement from the non-profit group that runs the events. “In fact, through Irrelevant Week, the organization has donated more than $1 million to charities over the past four decades. Previous beneficiaries include the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Goodwill Industries, YMCA, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, NFL Alumni, and the American Red Cross, and others, according to the Mr. Irrelevant Week organization.
According to the Jets Factor website, “the NFL has seriously increased the pageantry surrounding the ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ pick in the draft compared to previous years. The player used to only receive a jersey; now, there is an entire week dedicated to the last pick of the draft,” they wrote. “While it is nice for Key to be celebrated in this fashion, he would much rather prove the Mr. Irrelevant label wrong. In an extremely open safety room, Key has the potential to make a positive impact during training camp and the preseason. He was a secure tackler in college and flashed some ballhawk ability with four interceptions in his career.”
When asked about the feeling of being drafted, let alone in the spot of Mr. Irrelevant, Key had no words.”I was full of excitement, absolutely full of excitement,” Key said.
“We’re excited to celebrate our first Irrelevant Jet player and (have him visit) Newport Beach,” says Irrelevant Week CEO Melanie Salata Fitch. “When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way!”
According to the Jets X Factor site, “the last Mr. Irrevelvant to make a considerable impact was 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. The Iowa State product went from the last pick in the 2022 draft to one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
“Key may not reach the productivity of Purdy right off the bat, but if he can make an impact at the safety position for New York, the rookie will not be irrelevant for long.”
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