The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
‘Pride and joy’ for family after Trubisky is drafted
PHILADELPHIA » The day started with manicures and pedicures for the Trubisky family.
It ended with “pride and joy,” said Dave Trubisky, father of Mitchell Trubisky.
Pride in that Trubisky’s family was in Philadelphia to watch him live out his dream.
Joy in seeing him skyrocket from a national unknown last August as a one-year starter at North Carolina to the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft.
For Trubisky, his family and friends at the draft, it was a day and night to remember.
“What a relief,” said Dave Trubisky. “We were hoping he would go to Chicago, and it ended up that way. The Bears were worried San Francisco would take Mitchell, so they made the trade to get him.”
The Bears made the first big splash of the draft when they moved up from the No. 3 overall spot to the 49ers’ No. 2 spot. When NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said, “Mitchell Trubisky,” he received hugs from his dad and mother Jeanne.
“They just told they were proud of me and they loved me,” said Trubisky. “I can’t thank them enough for everything.”
Mentor coach Steve Trivisonno was among a group of 25 family and friends in a loge adjacent to the draft stage. When asked what emotion he felt when Trubisky’s name was called, he couldn’t remember.
“We were all screaming,” he said. “It was so exciting. What a super opportunity for him. What a night. The atmosphere was crazy. It was packed everywhere.”
That only made the buildup to Trubisky’s selection all the more sweet for Trivisonno, who had a feeling it would be his former signal-caller at Mentor called at No. 2.
“After that trade was announced, I turned to (Mentor assistant coach) Nes (Janiak), and said, ‘He’s going to the Bears,’ ” said Trivisonno.
The Bears emerging as the team that most coveted Trubisky might have been deflating for Browns fans who hoped Trubisky would return to his old stomping grounds. Dave Trubisky said Chicago was the No. 1 landing spot he hoped for his son.
“Location, location, location,” said Dave Trubisky. “We happy he’s closer to home, and gets to start this new chapter. We thought the Bears were in love with Mitchell. Now he gets to go to a place that wants him and needs him.”
Trubisky said he woke up early April 27, unable to get much sleep. It was nervous energy. He got a haircut in the morning and went for a walk. His parents and family members also enjoyed the early portion of the day with manicures and pedicures, courtesy of the NFL. His father said the day consisted of “a lot of excitement, a lot of anxiety” leading up to start of Round 1. His mother? Nope. “I actually wasn’t nervous,” said Jeanne. “It was just a great day spending time with friends and family.”
Also in attendance was former Mentor teammates and friends Conner Krizancic and Brandon Fritts. Kade McClure, another of Trubisky’s close friends from Mentor, was invited but could not attend because the Louisville pitcher has a series this weekend.
“It means the world for them to be here,” said Trubisky. “Kade couldn’t be here because of baseball, but we’re going to be brothers for life.”
Fritts’ reaction was “hyped.” Krizancic’s was “super live.”
For many in the city of Mentor, their reaction of Trubisky not coming home to the Browns probably wasn’t the same. Trivisonno said the Browns made a mistake not drafting Trubisky.
“Yeah, I think so,” he said. “They need a quarterback. For the city of Chicago, they got their guy for the next 15 years.”
On this night, though, that Browns talk didn’t matter. On this night, it was all about Trubisky, with family and friends in tow, include one thrilled papa.
Said Dave Trubisky: “I’m very proud and happy he did all the work to get to this point.”