When it comes to the NFL Draft, college players who are lucky enough to be first-round picks absolutely love the moment when they get to walk across the stage, hug Roger Goodell, and then hold up the jersey of the team that just selected them.
Pro football teams are always looking for a steal in the annual NFL draft. This was not the kind of theft they were expecting.
Two men who were visiting Kansas City for the 2023 NFL draft are accused of stealing jerseys intended for draft picks, according to KCAL News.
The two men were students from USC and they have now been charged. Jude Ocanas and Eric Lambkins were caught on camera leaving their hotel and sneaking into the backstage area at the draft.
The two journalism students had no credentials to be in the area as police state the pair stole three jerseys from the event – jerseys for the Cowboys, 49ers, and Vikings. The two seemingly got passes for the event thanks to their roles at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at USC, as one USC student detailed to KCAL News.
“We had Annenberg passes that like cover different events,” the USC student said. “There’s definitely a level of trust that they have in us, so I hope they don’t take that away.”
Eric F. Lambkin, 40, of Marietta, Georgia, and Jude Ocanas, 19, of Los Angeles, were charged with second-degree burglary, stealing, and misdemeanor trespassing.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
Lambkins and Ocanas were reportedly arrested later Friday as two jerseys were recovered when police searched their luggage, prosecutors said.
The jerseys were valued at $350 each.
This is not a good look for them or the university that they represent.
