Houston Texans decide Kayden McDonald cries a veritable ocean of tears at 2026 NFL Draft

[ad_1] Kayden McDonald thought he was going to be picked by anyone within the first round of the NFL Draft . However when that did not occur, he and his household needed to resolve whether or not to remain within the so-called inexperienced room for the second spherical or get out of the view of cameras.

McDonald returned to the inexperienced room Friday and, judging by what occurred when he was picked by the Houston Texans , it was all the pieces for the younger man.

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The second his title was known as, McDonald started to weep.

Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald participates within the NFL Scouting Mix at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Photographs)

We're speaking a stream of tears as he hugged his household. And extra tears as he walked to the stage. And much more as he embraced NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

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Cool. A launch.

However that wasn't all. McDonald couldn't flip off the tap in his eyes as he spoke with ESPN stage reporter Laura Rutledge.

It was a veritable ocean of tears.

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And pure pleasure.

"It is emotional, man," McDonald mentioned throughout the transferring second. "I do know I am purported to be right here. I am simply so blessed. I am simply so grateful. I am simply so emotional, like, the place I got here from. It is a blessing."

McDonald is from Suwanee, Georgia, and his neighborhood wasn’t what most would think about tough or impoverished — not prosperous, both, however removed from it.

<source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/672/378/nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-pittsburgh-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/1344/756/nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-pittsburgh-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/931/523/nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-pittsburgh-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/1862/1046/nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-pittsburgh-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"> NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell strides to the rostrum throughout Spherical One of many 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Photographs)

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McDonald can also be typically described as coming from a steady, supportive household. His parents have been actively concerned in his recruitment course of that led him to Ohio State.

It is a high-character, disciplined prospect, a number of NFL evaluators informed OutKick earlier than the draft.

And but, McDonald's reality is that he rose from the inconceivable to the second spherical of the NFL draft . And that moved him.

Then it moved us as a result of it moved him on nationwide tv.

And that is the place we typically neglect, as we watch these athletes head towards notoriety, adulation and, sure, riches, that the journey exacts a value.

It may be a visit fraught with arduous work and setbacks in addition to lined with success and rewards. Both approach, it exacts prices.

<source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/931/523/david-bailey-roger-goodell-nfl-draft-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/1862/1046/david-bailey-roger-goodell-nfl-draft-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"> David Bailey of Texas Tech embraces NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen second general by the New York Jets throughout the first spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., on April 23, 2026. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Photographs)