Some Dallas Cowboys fans may have been disappointed the team selected offensive guard Tyler Booker with its first-round pick (No. 12 overall) instead of a receiver such as Matthew Golden or Emeka Egbuka, or running back Omarion Hampton on Thursday night.
However, those supporters might feel differently after listening to the Alabama lineman talk about how he enjoyed dominating his opposition. Cowboys star linebacker Micah Parsons was certainly impressed.
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During the NFL combine, Booker provided what may have been the most memorable quote among draft prospects in Indianapolis.
“I just love the aggressiveness and the tenacity of the game of football. It’s legal assault out there,” he said. “I love football. The brand of football I play, I make guys not love football anymore.”
Following his selection by the Cowboys, Bleacher Report’s Adam Lefkoe asked Booker to elaborate on beating the love of football out of an opposing lineman and what that involves.
“Football is a child’s game. People wake up, they’re like, ‘I can’t wait to play this football game today,'” Booker replied. “They get so excited to play football until they come across Tyler Booker. Then when I’m going after you — quarter after quarter, play after play, series after series — and I start to see that love leave their eyes. That’s what makes me love the game.”
Parsons was irritated earlier in the evening because Carolina selected receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 pick before Dallas could get him at No. 12. Likely echoing what he heard from the front office, the Cowboys’ All-Pro linebacker was hoping McMillan would pair nicely at wideout with CeeDee Lamb.
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However, Booker’s response convinced Parsons, whose fifth-year option was picked up for $24 million as the two sides try to work out a long-term contract extension, which could make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL in annual salary.
“He got me hyped up; I ain’t gonna lie,” Parsons gushed. “Welcome to the team!”
Based on Parsons’ reaction, Booker is already well on his way to possibly becoming a suitable replacement for recently retired Zack Martin, a likely future Hall of Famer.
