Why the NFL's final draft pick is celebrated with a week of festivities

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Every year, the final player selected in the NFL draft earns the title Mr. Irrelevant. Far from being a slight, this designation launches a week of Newport Beach celebrations, including a regatta and a trophy ceremony, turning a long-shot professional career into a moment of unexpected, enduring cultural fame.

The tradition began in 1976 when Paul Salata, a former professional football player, founded Irrelevant Week in Newport Beach, California. Salata aimed to highlight the unlauded athletes whose professional prospects were often fleeting. The event quickly became a fixture, featuring a Disneyland trip, a golf tournament, and the awarding of the Lowsman Trophy—a humorous counterpart to the Heisman that depicts a player fumbling a football. The publicity surrounding the event became so intense that in 1979, the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers both attempted to intentionally pass their final picks to avoid the spotlight, leading to the Salata Rule, which now prohibits teams from passing to secure the last selection.

While the title is often viewed as a dubious honor, the reality for these players has shifted significantly since the NFL moved to a seven-round draft format in 1994. Many modern designees have successfully secured roster spots and made meaningful contributions. Notable examples include Marty Moore, the first to play in and win a Super Bowl, and Ryan Succop, who became a starting kicker and won Super Bowl LV. The New York Giants have held the final pick more than any other team, selecting nine times, while teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks have never held the position.

The most prominent success story is Brock Purdy, the 2022 designee. After injuries to his team's starting quarterbacks, Purdy rose to prominence, becoming the first Mr. Irrelevant to start and win a playoff game and the first to throw a touchdown pass in a Super Bowl. His rapid ascent earned him the nickname Mr. Relevant and a $265 million contract extension in 2025. His impact has been so profound that his story is being adapted into a feature film, directed by Jonathan Levine and scheduled for release in 2026, which focuses on the life of 1983 designee John Tuggle.

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