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Married with children, Saints rookie Doniel Gambrell is someone to root for: Jeff Duncan




Sunday is a landmark day for Doniel Gambrell.


The New Orleans Saints rookie offensive lineman will walk in graduation ceremonies that afternoon at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, where he'll receive his degree in business management. He'll also be the inaugural recipient of the school's Mission Award, which honors a graduating student who has persisted through uncommon circumstances and displayed personal maturity by means of his or her education at the school.

And it being Mothers Day, he'll celebrate the achievement with his proud mother, Tracey Irving, who raised Gambrell and his two siblings after her husband, Doniel Gambrell Sr. was tragically murdered in a May 14, 2002 robbery.

Consequently, Gambrell will be the last member of the Saints rookie class to arrive in town for next week's minicamp. His flight isn't scheduled to land in New Orleans until around midnight Sunday, which leaves him little time to rest or prepare for the big week ahead.

Gambrell, though, is not your average rookie. The 24-year-old married father of three is accustomed to juggling a hectic schedule. And he's learned to thrive in the chaos.

"He's been a full-time father, a full-time husband, a full-time student, a full-time athlete and a full-time worker," said Bill Rychel, the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Notre Dame, where he served as a mentor for Gambrell. "He knows what he wants and has worked hard for it."

Indeed, if you are looking for someone to root for in the Saints rookie class, Gambrell would be a worthy candidate. The 6-foot-6, 316-pound offensive lineman from Notre Dame College – not to be confused with the University of Notre Dame – is something of a modern-day Rudy. The big man from the tiny school went undrafted and is a long shot to make the Saints roster. But he's sure to become a fan favorite once the Who Dat Nation learns his inspiring story.

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/05/saints_rookie_doniel_gambrell.html


OK every year we pick up an underdog to cheer for and this kid might just be the winner.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins