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Lorenzo Mauldin and his Jets journey: Tears, chills and cold reality

Related Topics: Lorenzo Mauldin, Chills, Reality

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Oh, what a night.

More than three years later, Lorenzo Mauldin still can't find the right words to describe the night he was drafted by the New York Jets. Surrounded by family and friends, the linebacker was overcome with emotion and sobbed on a conference call with the New York media. His wasn't the typical journey to the draft.

He had spent his childhood in the Atlanta foster-care system, bouncing from home to home -- at least a dozen. He lost count. He wore shoes that were held together with duct tape and his suitcase was a plastic garbage bag.