Colts make Cunningham "Mr. Irrelevant"
With the final pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected South Carolina tight end Justice Cunningham.
The selection brings more than the pride of being drafted, but the title of Mr. Irrelevant, an "honor" created by USC's Paul Salata in 1976. The 86-year-old Salata, who played wide receiver for the 49ers, announced the pick, No. 254, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City at 7:28 p.m. ET.
A week-long celebration, marked with a golf tournament, banquet and parade in Newport Beach, Calif., awaits Cunningham.
Cunningham was a block-first tight end for the Gamecocks. The Colts drafted two tight ends, Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, in the 2012 draft.
Mr. Irrelevant was selected by the Colts for the second consecutive year. Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish, who made the 53-man roster and spent the season third on the depth chart.
The first Mr. Irrelevant was Kelvin Kirk, the 487th pick in the 1976 NFL Draft from Dayton. He didn't make the regular-season roster and was quickly out of the NFL.
Not all Mr. Irrelevants are as unfortunate.
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop, another South Carolina product, was drafted in 2009, outlasted general manager Scott Pioli and made 28 of 34 kicks last season. Succop signed a five-year, $14 million contract in 2012.
Former New York Giants and Colts fullback Jim Finn was actually drafted by the Chicago Bears 255th in 1999. He played 101 career games, mostly with the Giants.
