Christian Out to Prove that He is Far From Irrelevant
May 06, 2015 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky.- While University of Louisville tight end Gerald Christian might own the moniker of "Mr. Irrelevant," there is nothing irrelevant about the Cardinals' starting tight end.
Christian, who earned the label for being the last pick in this year's draft, going at No. 256, he seemingly landed in a perfect spot with the Arizona Cardinals, who need a tight end following the retirement of John Carlson.
"I didn't know anything about it," Christian said on Wednesday about being known as Mr. Irrelevant. "I'm happy for the opportunity that the Cardinals picked me up. I'm looking forward to the chance."
Christian had a solid two-year career for the Cardinals after transferring from Florida. After sitting out the 2012 season, Christian became a big weapon in the passing game. Playing 26 games, the Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., native caught 60 passes for 810 yards and nine touchdowns.
The 2014 campaign proved to be the most productive, as he hauled in a career-high 32 passes for 384 yards and five scores. In the ACC and season opener, Christian, who grabbed a career-best six passes for 59 yards and scored a touchdown in the win over Miami, didn't know what to think as the draft was coming to a close on Saturday night.
However, Christian just hoped his phone would ring, and when it did, he was ecstatic that Arizona was on the other end.
"You just keep hope that I was going to get drafted," Christian said. "Toward the end, you have teams blowing your phone up, talking about free agency, so you are trying to be realistic with yourself that you might have to do it. But at the end when I got picked, it was like 1,000 pounds was lifted off of me."
In three years at Louisville, Christian acted like a pro. Not a rah-rah guy who talked a lot, Christian was a quiet leader. He played hard and did everything that was asked of him by his coaches and teammates, which made him a popular guy in the locker room.
"I feel like I handle myself professionally," Christian said. "I'm just coming into work. In the NFL, you have to get in where you fit in. Whatever they want me to do to contribute, that's my role. I'm just coming into contribute."
Contribute is exactly what Christian did in Petrino's offense last season. He recorded a catch in all 13 games, totaling at least three receptions in five games and touchdowns in five different contests.
As a junior, Christian recorded 28 receptions for a career-best 426 yards and four scores, but averaged 15.2 yards per reception. He recorded three receptions for a career-high 83 yards, including a career-long 69-yard touchdown versus USF.
"I think it helped how coach Petrino used me this year," Christian said. "By playing as a lead back or being a Y-tight end with my hand in the ground, it showed that I can be versatile. So at the end of the day, it brought value to me."
Despite being the final pick in the draft, Christian has the skillset to become a valuable asset for Arizona - making him a more than relevant selection.
