There are two major human interest stories out of the University of Missouri for this year's NFL Draft. You already know of the first. But it's the second one, the one you're probably not aware of, that may be most deserving of your attention.
There's no easy way to say this, so it's best just to say it: wide receiver L'Damian Washington was an orphan before he could legally obtain a driver's license. His father was murdered when he was five; his mother died of a stroke when he was 15. The third of four sons, Washington and his brothers stayed together following their mother's passing, bouncing from place to place in Shreveport, La.
Washington earned a scholarship at Missouri, and thrived in Columbia. He caught 100 career passes for 1,735 yards with 15 touchdowns, capped by a stellar 50-catch, 10-touchdown performance as a senior, all while earning a 3.5 GPA.
A touching backstory, however, doesn't open doors in the NFL. Being 6'4" and running a sub-4.4 40 does. Washington has both, and a 3.5 GPA to boot. His brothers, on the other hand, do not. Which means the other three Washington men may have more riding on this weekend's events than L'Damian. Their only ticket to a better life rides on his ability to make the NFL, and stay there.