MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / April 18, 2000

LAPLACE – Rondell Mealey didn’t get a chance to dream much Saturday night, but Sunday afternoon, the former Destrehan High School star had a dream come true.

Just before 5 p.m., Mealey got the call, saying that he had just beenselected in the seventh round in the NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Afew minutes later, it was announced to the world on ESPN2’s coverage.

“I was just happy to see my name up there,” Mealey said Sunday night. “Ihad talked to them (the Packers) before so I knew it was coming.”Mealey just didn’t know it was going to come so late. Predicted by manypublications to go from anywhere from the third to the fifth round, the former LSU running back slipped to the 252nd selection overall. But hesaid he was just happy to be drafted.

“It’s like I’m starting college life overall,” Mealey said. “I have to provemyself. I know what I can do. I just have to show it.”Mealey finished his college career as LSU’s sixth all-time leading rusher with 2,238 yards. He was the second LSU player taken after cornerbackMark Roman was taken in the second round by Cincinnati.

“He deserved it,” Mealey said of Roman. “He was a real good player.”Mealey was the only running back selected by Green Bay. The Packers werelooking for a complement to Dorsey Levens, a former Pro-Bowl back. ThePackers did pick up Ahmad Green from Seattle in a pre-draft trade. Mealeywill participate in a minicamp for the team in a couple of weeks.

Mealey had held a barbecue at his LaPlace home Saturday for family and friends, including former Tiger backfield partner Kevin Faulk, who was drafted by New England last year.

“Kevin told me no matter where I get drafted, I still have to do my thing,” Mealey said.

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