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player ready...It’s been an emotional year for Ted Karras Jr.
His father, Ted Karras, died in January 2016 after a long illness, his son Ted III was drafted by the New England Patriots in the spring and he was dismissed as the football coach at Walsh University in November.
Then the Patriots made it to the Super Bowl.
His departure from Walsh was a blessing.
Much easier to figure out travel plans without a day job. Karras Jr. has watched the last 14 Patriot games in person.
“I said I ain’t missing this,” Ted Jr. said after his son was drafted. “You just can’t take this for granted.”
Ted Jr., his wife Jennifer and his daughter Taylor will be in the stands at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday as the Patriots try to win their fifth Super Bowl. They play the Atlanta Falcons.
Chances are, Karras III, a backup offensive lineman, will get into the game for a few special teams plays. If one of the guards or the center gets injured, Karras probably gets the call.
How Karras III arrived in Houston for the Super Bowl, though, is remarkable.
He was the last player selected in the sixth round of the 2016 draft (221st pick). That’s the same pick that the Patriots used on Tom Brady (199th pick) in 2000.
Karras has been the quintessential underdog, making up for his lack of athleticism with hard work and tenacity.
He started for four seasons at Illinois after playing at Indianapolis Cathedral High School but was overlooked by powerhouse Big Ten schools, such as Michigan and Ohio State.
Karras Jr. thought he’d receive an invitation to NFL draft combine in Indianapolis.
He didn’t.
Karras III did play well in the East-West Shrine game in Tampa Bay.
His agent, Jeremy Newberry, sent him out to Arizona last winter to get into pro football shape.
And Karras III impressed Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia at the University of Illinois’ pro day workout.
The Karras family held a draft day party for him.
When the call finally came, the family pretty much knew it had to be the Patriots since that was the only team that had really shown interest in Karras.
“We were relieved,” Karras Jr. said. “He was always the underdog. You know a two-star recruit. Whatever. We were intrigued by the Patriots style. He’s always been a grind-it-out guy.”
Karras had a solid training camp, making the team because he was versatile. According to Karras Jr., Patriots coach Bill Belichick wants guys who can do a “few things well.”
Karras III accepted the challenge to play backup center and both guard positions. His position in college was right guard.
An injury thrust Karras into a starting role in the first game of the season against Arizona.
His play since then has been limited mostly to special teams.
Karras III doesn’t like the underdog label.
“You can’t call yourself an underdog. I felt maybe I had been overlooked. It doesn’t bother me. I don’t mind having to come out of nowhere to prove myself,” he said. “I take every opportunity as a blessing.”
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Karras Jr. is grateful that his son was drafted by the best organization in the NFL.
Still, Chicago Bears blood runs deep in the Karras family.
Ted Karras Sr. was an offensive linemen on the 1963 Bears championship team but the situation with the Patriots is perfect for a low-round draft pick who needs time to develop.
Karras Jr. said the franchise is first-class.
“I am so thankful they drafted him,” Karras Jr. said.
Karras III grew up a Bears fan and he idolized Ted Sr, calling him the consummate lineman.
He said he thinks about him often.
“We were very close,” he said. “He was one the of the baddest linemen I knew. I took a lot from him.”
Twitter @MikeHuttonPT