Atlanta Falcons select Lebanon star athlete in 2024 NFL Draft
LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN) — From backyard football to the big leagues, it’s a celebration for one family in Wilson County.
A lifelong dream was fulfilled for Zion Logue over the weekend after he heard his named called in the 2024 NFL Draft.
“Just a kid with a dream, playing in that backyard, playing football,” said Logue.
According to Logue, this was a dream that began on Market Street in Lebanon, Tennessee.
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“Spending countless hours in that backyard, acting like I’m in the NFL already,” he remembered.
From Lebanon High School to winning two national championships with the University of Georgia, Logue’s dream of playing in the NFL is now his reality.
(Courtesy: Shelay Alexander Wright) (Courtesy: Shelay Alexander Wright) (Courtesy: Shelay Alexander Wright) INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 28: Zion Logue #DL16 of the Georgia wears a pendant of his grandmother while speaking to the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 28, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 28: Zion Logue of Georgia speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 28, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images) INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 29: Zion Logue #DL16 of Georgia runs the the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Zion Logue (96) tires to excite the Georgia fans during the Capital One Orange Bowl game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The defensive tackle was selected by the Atlanta Falcons as their sixth round pick of 2024 NFL Draft.
“Don’t let anybody tell you you can’t do anything,” said Logue.
However, this isn’t his first time playing for the red and black. In fact, one of his first teams in pee-wee football was for the Falcons.
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Logue said those who inspired him the most are the women who stand beside him — his mother and grandmother.
“It is a dream come true,” said his grandmother, Marchelle Alexander.
Around his neck lays a chain that features a picture of his great-grandmother. Logue told News 2 he wears the chain with her picture on it everywhere he goes, from Market Street all the way to the NFL Combine.
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The new NFL player credits much of his success to how much his great-grandmother had to sacrifice.
“She taught me so much and I just wish she was here to embrace it,” said Logue.
Raised by a single mom, Logue’s mother said he’s no stranger to challenges and adversity.
“I had to do everything to make sure he had a life better than me,” said his mother, Shelay Alexander Wright.
However, on the same hand, hard work and dedication didn’t fall too far from the tree.
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“A lot of people said, ‘Oh, he won’t go and play SEC, he’ll never play a down.’ You right: he never played a down, he started at SEC,” said Wright.
Logue’s football career will continue after being the 197th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Despite being nervous, Logue said he’s ready for the challenge ahead on football’s biggest stage.
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