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Former Tennessee tight end Mychal Rivera beats odds in NFL

JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Mychal Rivera wasn’t expected to last long in the NFL.

Rivera, a former Tennessee standout was drafted by Oakland in the sixth round of the 2013 draft, The shelf life for a sixth-rounder usually isn’t lengthy, but Rivera’s career is still going.

After four seasons with the Raiders, Rivera signed a two-year, $3.25-million contract with the Jaguars in March.

“I’m still in the league, so I feel like I’m still a successful person, still a successful football player,” Rivera said.

Rivera, 26, has caught 146 passes for 1,413 yards with 10 touchdowns in his career.