MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 11: Thomas Fletcher #45 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates following the College Football Playoff National Championship game win over the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
The Carolina Panthers drafted long snapper Thomas Fletcher and he quite literally could not have been happier talking with Matt Rhule.
Over NFL Draft weekend, so many lives change and it’s awesome to see the reactions of guys seeing their dreams come true. This was exactly the case for Alabama long snapper Thomas Fletcher, who was selected in the sixth round by the Carolina Panthers.
For Fletcher, though, he thought the Panthers were calling to sign him as an undrafted free agent. He had no idea he was an actual draft pick, which made his conversation with Carolina head coach Matt Rhule so much more entertaining and special.
Thomas Fletcher was blown away when the Carolina Panthers drafted him
That video above is sure to bring a smile to your face. Even if you’re the biggest of Panthers haters, there’s no denying that clip is nothing short of gold. Fletcher truly thought the Panthers and Rhule had reached out to gauge his interest in signing as a free agent.
That of course wasn’t the case, though, as the former Alabama stud can proudly call himself a sixth-round pick and a new member of the NFC South organization. As soon as Rhule let him know he was being taken, you could just feel the energy and excitement coming from his mouth.
He made it clear to Rhule that he’s going to do everything possible to help him win some games. Fletcher does know a little bit about winning, as he helped the Crimson Tide take home yet another national title in 2020. Now, he’ll be packing his bags and head over to Carolina to begin his career in the NFL. That phone call with Rhule is one he and his family will never forget.