Mark Herzlich has overcome far greater setbacks than not being drafted, so when the former Boston College star was bypassed in April’s draft, he simply shrugged it off.
Herzlich, who famously beat cancer, said he wasn’t going to let something so trivial like a draft snub throw him off course, especially when it all worked out. He signed a free-agent contract to play with his family’s favorite team, the New York Giants.
Wait a minute. Didn’t Herzlich attend Conestoga High School? Herzlich told the New York media that he didn’t want to discuss his childhood rooting interests. As a kid, growing up on the Main Line, he was an Eagles fan.
“Everybody is going to be upset, but I’m from Philadelphia, so you know how that goes.”
He was quick to point out that his dad has “always been a Giants fan, if that gives [New York fans] some solace.”
Giants GM Jerry Reese said signing the young linebacker wasn’t a charity thing or done for good public relations.
“I think Herzlich is kind of like a joker,” Reese said. “He can play any of the linebacker spots.” metro
