Patriots’ Will Campbell Receives Heartfelt Draft Day Message

Patriots’ first-round draft pick Will Campbell had a hard time containing his emotions immediately following the announcement that New England used the fourth overall pick on him.

After vowing to protect franchise quarterback Drake Maye, Campbell received a heartfelt message from his mother Holly highlighting his love for the sport of football.

“From the time you could walk, you had a football in your hand,” she said in the recorded video message. “I’ll never forget you playing YMCA football and you had to weigh in in your underwear to make the weight limit so you could play running back.

“Then in the fourth grade you started drawin plays in your notebook in class. You announced you were going to play for LSU, and your focus never deterred.”

For all that Campbell accomplished protecting Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier on the field, Mrs. Campbell expressed how proud she is of the man her son has become.

“We are so proud of you on the field,” she said. “But, more importantly, we are proud of the person you are off the field. Continue being you. … Stay humble, stay hungry and keep your focus on God. Your greatness is revealed not by the light that shines on you, but by the light that shines within you.”

Campbell admitted he was happy his mother made it through her message without shedding a tear. He said if he had seen his mother cry, he would not have been able to contain his emotions.

The video also reavealed the family nickname “Bookie,” which Campbell couldn’t explain why his mother calls his father “Big Bookie” and his brother “Baby Bookie.”

Welcome to New England Bookie!