Building Legos And A Career

Before Saturday's NFL Draft, John Carlson said he wanted to avoid watching the festivities that would decide his future on ESPN. And he ended up being successful in that -- although his wait ended a little sooner than he thought.
Carlson was building Legos with his 5-year-old nephew when his fiancee ran over with his cell phone. The whole Carlson household in Litchfield, Minn., became excited as he ran to find a quieter room.
Then, he found out he'd become a Seahawk, selected with the 38th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
We caught up with Carlson, who estimated he had 30 people in his house Saturday, a few hours later.

Irish Insights: Take me through your emotions when you see Seattle pick you and you're the second tight end taken.
John Carlson: "Honestly, I wasn't even watching. That was kind of my plan throughout this process. I knew that when the time came, I would get a phone call. Actually, I was playing with my 5-year-old nephew putting together a little Lego set and my phone rang and my fiancee ran the phone over to me and I picked up and it was Seattle."

II: Did you immediately drop all the Legos?
JC: "I sprinted to a quieter room because everyone kind of got excited when I got a phone call."

II: Did you even think Seattle was a possibility?
JC: "Well, I knew they had a later pick in the second round so it could be an option. I knew they needed a tight end but I wasn't sure if they were interested in me or a Fred Davis or (Dustin) Keller, but Keller was gone. I knew they needed a tight end but I didn't know they were going to call me."

II: After you hear you are going to Seattle, take me through your emotions then. Do you click on the draft then? Is it pandemonium?
JC: "It was crazy. My fiancee gave me a big hug and I was talking to all the coaches and everything and I was trying to get everything set up for my trip out there but it's really surreal. I don't know if it's even hit me yet."

II: Do you know much about Seattle? I know you guys were out there a few years ago.
JC: "I've been there twice, once for our game and another time previously. I have family in Portland, Ore., so that was the last time I was out there, visiting them. It's a beautiful city, from what I saw of it last trip, and I couldn't be happier to be a Seahawk."

II: Has the family from Portland already got in touch with you and said 'We're going to see you a lot more?'
JC: "Honestly, I haven't had a chance call anyone yet. I've been setting up my trip out there for minicamp and answering phone calls from the Seahawks so I haven't talked to them yet. I'm going out tomorrow for a press conference, which will be Monday, and then I have a mini-camp starting Thursday next week."

II: Like you said, it hasn't necessarily hit you yet. When do you think that might happen? Would it be when you go to sleep tonight, like 'Whoa, I'm a professional now?'
JC: "That's a good possibility, I'll lay down tonight and finally have a chance to sit and gather my thoughts because a lot is going on right now. But I'm really excited and extremely happy to be part of the Seahawks organization and I can't wait to get out there and start working."

II: How many friends and family do you have around you?
JC: "I got my immediate family, my older sister, her husband and their two kids. My older brother and his wife. My younger sister. My fiancee and her parents. My parents and close family friends. There's probably 30 people here in my small house in Litchfield, Minnesota."

II: Is that the most people ever in your house?
JC: "Yeah, probably. We like to get together as a family. I wasn't planning this as a party but as an opportunity for the family to get together. We were hoping it would turn into a party and it has now."

II: What did the Seahawks people tell you and the indication they've given you?
JC: "There's an opportunity and they need a tight end. Nothing is promised to me and I don't have anything guaranteed but I have an opportunity to earn a spot, which is great. It's all you can ask for and I'm excited to get out there."
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette