The NFL Draft is a moment where franchise-altering decisions are made. Game-changing prospects turn into cornerstone players. In what could be considered an initiation for the stars of tomorrow.
Yet what’s often lost in the bright lights of draft day selections is how life-altering these phone calls are for both prospects and the people behind the selections.
“It’s one of those moments where you feel really honored to get the opportunity to do this, but when you get that opportunity to make these phone calls to these players and tell them that they’re going to be a Philadelphia Eagle and see how their life has changed,” said Howie Roseman.
“And I don’t mean it because of us; it’s because of their hard work and the traits that they have both in their body as athletes and as people. But you know—building families, building their life in Philadelphia, and getting that opportunity to really have roots in this city.”
Speaking of having roots in the city, the seeds should have already been firmly planted for the Eagles fifth-round pick, Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Obviously for Trotter Jr., who grew up in South Jersey as an Eagles fan, being the son of Eagles 1998 third-round pick, Jeremiah Trotter Sr., he remembers his father carrying him through the Novacare Complex. We’ve all seen the legendary photo of Trotter Sr. holding his baby boy (then age three) after the Eagles clinched the NFC championship in 2004/05.
Now that the student has the opportunity to become the teacher, this moment is important to everyone who played a role in the equation.
It’s no secret that the Eagles are in need of help at the linebacker position following last season. With the selection of Trotter Jr., they have a young man who is looking forward to taking his great name and churning his own legacy out of it. The team even took the liberty of awarding Trotter Jr. with the coveted number 54. This is the same number his father wore for the franchise, and it’s the same number he’s worn his entire life.
“They didn’t necessarily ask me (what number I wanted); they kind of assumed what number I was going to ask for and kind of put it on hold,” he said. “I was very happy it was available, and they decided to give me that number. So I’m going to wear it with pride and be the best player I can.”
During his time in Philadelphia, the elder Trotter left a legacy that included becoming a member of Philadelphia’s Ring of Honor as a key contributor to the 2000s Eagles defensive unit.
He was also touted as the ‘Axe Man’ during his time in Philadelphia, garnering attention from his patented celebration—a tradition that the younger Trotter will continue to showcase upon every opportunity.
With Trotter Jr. not only having the opportunity to extend the legacy his father left behind, but also establish one of his own, there seems to be an idea that there could be a bit of pressure mounting for him to live up to expectations.
But to the Trotter family, that belief is one of public perceptions.
“Honestly, for me, I didn’t feel like there was any pressure,” Trotter Jr. said. “My dad would always talk to me and say, ‘There ain’t no pressure; you’re your own player, your own man. You have your own journey.“
Trotter Jr. continued by emphasizing the differences between him and his dad.
“We’re different as far as how we play the game, and I just gotta go out there and be me. Use the tools that God blessed me with, and try, to the best of my ability, try to be the best player I can be as an individual. So I don’t feel like there’s any pressure to live up to his legacy or anything. I don’t feel like there’s a weight on my back. I’m just trying to get to work and just be the best I can be.“
Despite being limited in terms of traits and measurables, Trotter was able to become a bit of a household name during his time at Clemson. He’s been lauded for his instincts and abilities to find the ball carrier, but most importantly, his work ethic makes everyone around him strive to be great. As Clemson defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin put it, “No one is more respected in our locker room than Jeremiah Trotter; everybody listens when he speaks.”
We can discuss fit in Vic Fangio’s system or how the move seems to be a bit repetitive with Nakobe Dean already in the building and the two sharing similar skillsets. Yet there’s no denying that this was just something that was going to happen.
It was, as they’d say, destiny. It was meant to be, in the same light of Joey Porter Jr. being a Steeler or a Shanahan/McCaffery coach-player combination.
In its own way, you could say it was poetic.
Whether it was Trotter Sr. and his responses during interviews or the reaction of Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie upon the selection, it was always meant to be.
Lurie even took the time to mention how much he loved Trotter Jr.’s late mother, Tammi, who passed away in February of 2023 following a battle with breast cancer.
What happens next remains to be seen, but Trotter Jr. knows this full-circle honeymoon won’t last forever, and the important part is what his output on the field consists of.
“I know how they will love you up but also get on you when you need to hear it,” Trotter said. “But I feel like that’s what comes with the job title anywhere that you go play. That’s what you’re going to get. Coaches, too. They love you up and get on you when you need it. When you can play a sport at such a high level and have this type of profession you’ve just got to be able to roll with the punches and keep working and try to make sure that you’re the best that you possibly can be, and just control what you can control.”
As for controlling what you can, one thing Trotter knows he’ll be able to control is opportunity cost, with his father already stating his son is returning home to live with him.
It’s hard not to be excited about the selection of Trotter. Watching any prospect fulfill a lifelong dream is always satisfying, but given the history behind this selection, this one just means a little more.
Cover Image Credit: Olivia Reiner/Philadelphia Inquirer, via Jeremiah Trotter Sr.
The Philly Blitz 
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