Designer suits shine at the NFL Draft, but the jacket inner linings tell stories
Dreams came true for 31 NFL Draft picks Thursday night in Kansas City. The first round concluded, and the remaining rounds will continue Friday and Saturday.
Each year seems to be a fashion-show opportunity for draftees, and Thursday didn’t disappoint. While players showed their best suits, it was the inner linings of their suit jackets that seemed to deliver messages to those who were paying attention.
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And if you weren’t, here’s a recap of five first-round selections who fit the bill.
It’s springtime, and Wilson let the outside of his jacket do much of the talking. A dark suit with pink and teal floral print wasn’t on the bingo card for many eyeing someone who is 6-foot-6 and 271 pounds, but Wilson made it work.
It was the jacket lining, however, that was an underrated highlight. Wilson opened the coat, and it showed the traditional Texas Tech Double T logo. Wilson started his college career at Texas A&M but transferred to Texas Tech in 2020.
In 2007, rapper Yung Ralph made a song called “Look Like Money.” The lyrics: “I look like money. Smell like money. Talk like money, even walk like money.”
This could have been Addison’s theme music. He showed up in a pink satin suit with the accompanying floral accents. The lining of the jacket: Several shots of Benjamin Franklin’s big face on $100 bills. If you’re going to secure the bag, why not show it off to the fans?
Flowers arrived at draft night wearing a black leather suit. He had sequins on his jacket sleeves and down his pants. It appeared relatively simple yet stylish. And then he opened his coat.
Flowers is one of 14 children. Thursday’s jacket lining featured numerous pictures of his family members. Flowers is always quick to quote the old adage, “Family first.” And let’s never forget the chain he also wore. It featured an image of his mother, Jackie, who died when he was 5 years old.
An all-white suit was incredibly sharp on Gonzalez. But Gonzalez knew the outfit needed some splashes of color.
As he unbuttoned the jacket after shaking Roger Goodell’s hand, the colors of yellow, blue and red appeared. The lining of Gonzalez’s jacket showcased the flag of Colombia. Gonzalez was born and raised in Texas to a Colombian family.
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Anthony Richardson has "I want to be a legend" on the inside of his coat at the NFL draft 👀@LauraRutledge | @GatorsFB
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) April 27, 2023
Of the draft picks listed, Richardson arguably was the biggest name. He was the No. 4 pick, and he’s expected to compete for immediate playing time in Indianapolis.
His suit was dark gray, but when he unbuttoned the jacket, it featured a blue background with a white cross. It also featured the words “I want to be a legend” throughout the lining. He’ll have his chance with the Colts.
(Top photo: David Eulitt / Getty Images)
