Wide receiver Brenden Rice reportedly learned he was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft during his best friend’s funeral.
The former University of Southern California star is said to have answered the Chargers’ call while saying goodbye to late Texas A&M University-Commerce player Keith Miller III.
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Miller died at age 22 two weeks ago.
He was found dead in his apartment near campus on April 11.
His funeral coincided with Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, which will take place in Detroit, Michigan, on Saturday, according to an NFL source. Ian Rapoport.
Rapoport reported that Rice, 22, was present at Miller’s funeral.
The Chargers’ new wide receiver is said to have boarded a plane to Dallas, Texas on Saturday morning so he could say goodbye to his best friend in person.
The former USC standout reportedly served as a pallbearer during the ceremony.
He also gave an obituary speech, according to Rapoport.
While he was attending the funeral, the NFL insider continued, Rice received a call from the Chargers to inform him that they would draft him 225th overall.
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“A bittersweet day for Brenden Rice,” Rapoport said.
Rice is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.
He spent two years at USC after transferring from Colorado in 2022.
The Arizona native recorded 791 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on 45 catches for the Trojans last season.
The majority of those passes came from No. 1 overall pick and new Chicago Bears franchise quarterback Caleb Williams.
Ahead of the 2024 draft, Rice expressed hope he could reunite with Williams in the NFL.
He said they could become a legendary duo, following in the footsteps of the Rob Gronkowski-Tom Brady duo.
“I’m telling you, we could take it. We could be the next duo,” Rice said. TMZ Sports.
“Just like Gronk and Tom Brady.”
But the Bears ended up elsewhere looking for fresh blood in the 2024 NFL Draft.
After signing Williams as expected, they selected Washington’s Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick.
Chicago then selected offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie at No. 75, punter Tory Taylor at No. 122 and defensive end Austin Booker at No. 144.
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