Check out a feature on Salata in Sunday’s edition of the Daily Pilot.
This Q & A was provided by the Irrelevant Week staff.
Question: Whose idea was all of this anyway? How did it come about?
Answer: Mostly, it was my idea. I noticed how people going to halls of fame always thanked the little guy who helped them along the way. But nobody ever honors them. So, I got to thinking: Who’s the ultimate underdog? It’s the last guy picked in the NFL draft. You know, what’s wrong with doing something nice for someone for no reason?
Q: Did you think Irrelevant Week would be a one-time event, or did you foresee it going on as long as it has?
A: Hope and expectation are two different things. We hoped it would go. But we were prepared for what to do if it didn’t work. The first guy picked was by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I had been a Pittsburgh Steeler for a few minutes. The kid who was the last player picked, Kelvin Kirk, was reluctant — “Whoa, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Then we got Mr. Art Rooney, the Steelers owner, to call and tell him it’s on the up and up and you’re going to have a good time.
Q: How did the NFL first react to the Irrelevant Week concept?
A: I talked to Pete Rozelle about it and he said, “That would be great.” He liked the idea.
Q: Has there ever been a Mr. Irrelevant who expressed reluctance to accept the throne?
