It was an iconic moment, perhaps the most memorable minute of the draft.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell calls Danny Shelton's name as the Cleveland Browns' 12th overall pick.
The 339-pounder shuffles up onto the stage and heads right for Goodell. Shelton not only goes in for the bear hug, but swiftly picks Goodell off of his feet, swinging the commissioner in mid-air.
"It was a little bit planned (laughter)," Shelton told the Cleveland media in his first interview. "But it was just an exciting time so I had to do it."
The Dawg Pound barely had time to catch their breath before the Browns found themselves back on the clock with the 19th pick. Cleveland turned in the card much more quickly than anticipated because its man, Cameron Erving, was still on the board.
"I just take great pride in being called an offensive lineman," Erving said. "And it feels great to be able to go in, and I've looked up to Joe Thomas for three years, since I've started playing offensive lineman, that who I've looked up to, that's who I would watch film on and you know Alex Mack is a great player as well and it's going to be a great experience to play alongside those guys."
Shelton said he went into the draft unsure of whether he would become a Brown, even after meeting extensively with the club. Hours after his famous embrace with Goodell and a phone call from general manager Ray Farmer, Shelton's cheeks were still hurting from smiling so much.
"It's exciting because of the fan support, the Dawg Pound and the social media has given me nothing but love," Shelton said. "It's crazy to think that now I get to go out and be a part of the Dawg Pound.
"As far as the defense, I'm expecting the same thing as far as producing a run stopper. I'm also going to add to the pass rushing game. Those are the two main things I want to focus on this offseason."
