Tay Gowan has had a whirlwind of a year. It started off in April anxiously awaiting the 2021 NFL Draft. Then he was selected by the Arizona Cardinals. Six months later Gowan was dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles (the team he believed was drafting him)from Arizona in the exchange that sent Super Bowl hero Zach Ertz to the Cardinals. Tragically, he also lost a former teammate(UCF) and friend, Otis “Juice” Anderson Jr. Tonight he will be playing in a national televised matchup between his Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys.
”After sitting out the 2020 collegiate season due to covid, in large part to protect his family and new born daughter, he knew and assumed the risks associated with opting out. However unfair it turned out to be. And still, he chose family first. “Going through my 2019 season, I dominated, and I knew that the 2020 season would have put me either in the first or second round based off my 2019 season. I think it hurt my draft stock, but I think it was also a part of my journey and a part of my story when I get to tell it to other kids and relate my message and relate my journey,”
His journey to the Eagles has been a unique one. Tay spent the beginning of the season on the Arizona Cardinals active roster practicing against DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green and others. He was preparing and learning a lot. The expectation was to be utilizing those skills with the Cardinals. Until he got the news he was being traded to Philadelphia. Not many players are drafted and dealt away during their rookie season. Much less to the team they believed they were destined to be with.
“I talked to the Eagles pre-draft and before the draft I already had all my Eagles stuff ready to go. And I was set to come play for the Philadelphia Eagles. And then the Cardinals took me a pick before the Eagles.”
Gowan was so sure he was going to be an Eagle, that pre draft he had forged a relationship with Philadelphia cornerback Darius Slay “ I was talking to him pre-draft, letting him know I’m coming to the Eagles so I need to you help me out, be my big bro in my corner. Even having that relationship coming out, that all worked out.”
His perseverance and being an inspiration to others has become a hallmark of his story. The hard work and dedication to the game he loves has allowed him to overcome every obstacle in his way to becoming an NFL player. Tonight he will have his opportunity to shine.
David
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