Kerby Joseph Shares Special Meaning of Being Drafted No. 97

Kerby Joseph recently appeared on "The Jim Rome Show".

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 2022 NFL Draft with the 97th overall pick. 

Coming out of Illinois, general manager Brad Holmes and the personnel department quickly identified Joseph's play-making abilities and his propensity to always be around the football. 

His ball-hawking abilities have translated to the next level. The young defensive back recorded four interceptions, two forced fumbles, eight passes defensed and 55 solo tackles in his debut NFL campaign. 

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Appearing on "The Jim Rome Show" Friday, Joseph shared a powerful story about his former college teammate Bobby Roundtree. 

"When I heard my name called, it was kind of a special night for me. Not only because I got drafted that night, but the number 97. I just felt like it was something from God, like being up there with my family and stuff. Being selected with the 97th pick," Joseph explained. "I felt like my boy Bobby was watching over me. He looked out for me with that one right there. So, I always knew this journey was going to be great, because of the selection and everything. I just got to keep trusting in God's plan. Bobby Roundtree was my old teammate at Illinois, number 97."

Unfortunately, Roundtree was injured back in May of 2019, when he jumped into the water in Madeira Beach, Fla., near John’s Pass. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the water was far too shallow, and the jump paralyzed Roundtree, immediately ending his football career. 

"Bobby, he was like the life of the team, man," Joseph shared with Rome. "When I first got there, all I could do, all I could do was be amazed. He was such a great teammate, such a great person and stuff like that. But, an incident happened which caused him to be, the incident happened caused him to be paralyzed. And, he was just, he wasn't devastated from it. He was still positive. He was still that that same guy in the locker room, outside the locker room. And, he just kept showing his love out to the community. 

"He started a foundation, 7 Strong. Just doing things for the community. That just motivated me to keep going. But, he lost his life. And, I'm just so forever grateful for the times we shared and the memories we shared."

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Gifts from Aaron Rodgers

During his rookie season, Joseph was able to intercept the Packers' franchise quarterback three times. 

While he would have liked to have shared a chat with the future Hall of Famer, the young defensive back is grateful he found early success against him. 

"Growing up I used to watch Aaron Rodgers all the time, so it's just as amazing to play against him, you know? And, those gifts he threw me, I'm just very thankful for those," Joseph commented. 

Playing for Dan Campbell

Like many players on the roster have expressed over the past 24 months, Joseph identified with his head coach, and found himself energized by Dan Campbell's speeches. 

"I feel like, yeah, like he just makes me want to run through a wall. Like, to be honest, I feel like he's such a player's coach," Joseph said. "I know he feels like how we feel. I know he's been through the same things we've been through. So, I feel like we share that same love, that same passion for the game."