Simply making it to the NFL is an accomplishment on its own, but making the most of one’s opportunity on a pro roster is what separates the best players from the rest.
Fifth-round pick Oronde Gadsden II has done exactly that in his time with the Los Angeles Chargers this year, breaking out with a huge performance in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Gadsden II caught seven passes for 164 yards and a touchdown – by far the best game of his young career. Fantasy football players who were lucky enough to draft him or claim him on waivers enjoyed his contributions to their teams, but one fan in particular says he’s keeping the promising tight end on his bench.
Gadsden II’s own father kept his son on the bench last weekend, and after his big day through the air, he says he’ll keep it that way.
‘What Dad Leaves His Son on the Bench?’
During an appearance on “Hoch, Crowder and Solana” on 1043 WQAM in Miami, former NFL wide receiver Oronde Gadsden explained his reasoning.
“It’s the second week in a row I’ve lost by under 10 points, and in my league they were like, ‘What dad leaves his son on the bench?’,” the older Gadsden said on the radio show.
“We playing fantasy football now … he’s going to stay on the bench. Nobody else got him, we cool with it, I’m cool. He gon’ ride the pine!”
Gadsden II may be on his dad’s bench, but he’s earned a chance at more playing time after his big day last Sunday.
The rookie was one of the few bright spots in a tough 38-24 loss to the Colts, and fans took notice. Gadsden II is the most added player in ESPN’s Fantasy Football this week, with a 14.7% increase in his presence on rosters.
The Gadsden Family Has a Football Legacy
Gadsden II’s father played six seasons with the Miami Dolphins, joining the league as an undrafted free agent out of Winston-Salem State in North Carolina. He won a Super Bowl in his rookie year with the Dallas Cowboys, and also spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The elder Gadsden also played in other professional leagues, including the Arena Football League. He won Rookie of the Year honors there in 1998, catching 93 passes for 1,335 yards and 37 touchdowns with the Portland Forest Dragons.
Gadsden II will get another opportunity to show fantasy football owners and the rest of the league what he can do when the Chargers take on the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football in Week 8.