For every story of an NFL player doing something wrong, there are many more who choose to do the right thing. For whatever reason, those positive stories will often go untold.
I wanted to make sure the Niner Faithful heard one story about new San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw and the New York Giants fan who will cheer him and his new NFL team on thanks to the rookie's brave actions years ago. Below is that fan's story, which he shared via Twitter.
Dre Greenlaw was drafted in the 5th round by the SF 49ers. I want to tell you a little story about him.
— Gerry (@GerryDales) April 27, 2019
My daughter went to a college party when she was freshman. She knew very few people at the party, and also didn't have a ton of experience drinking.
Someone slipped something into her drink when she wasn't paying attention.
— Gerry (@GerryDales) April 27, 2019
Dre was also a freshman. And he knew my daughter from high school. And he did *not* know the guy who was all over her.
— Gerry (@GerryDales) April 27, 2019
And when that guy tried to steer my daughter out the front door, he stopped the guy and said "she's not going anywhere."
— Gerry (@GerryDales) April 27, 2019
He was a starter on the Razorbacks. His place was not secure. He was underage and at a kegger. He wasn't drinking, but if there was a fight he was risking getting thrown off the team. In some ways, he was risking everything.
— Gerry (@GerryDales) April 27, 2019
And he risked it for my daughter. The guy backed down, and no one saw him again. No one at the party seemed to know who he was, and my daughter and her friends never saw him again.
— Gerry (@GerryDales) April 27, 2019
I didn't ever tell this story, because maybe someone would say "oh, he shouldn't have been at that party." Maybe not. But he had my daughter's back, and for that I will always owe him.
So, do me a favor. Root for Dre. He's a good kid with a good heart.
— Gerry (@GerryDales) April 27, 2019
So, @DreGreenlaw - congratulations, and thank you.
— Gerry (@GerryDales) April 27, 2019
Gerry Dales may be a Giants fan but he just gained a new NFL team to cheer.
"I was hoping he would become a Giant," Dales said via NBC Sports Bay Area. "That's my team, and they need a guy like him on and off the field.
"But I'd root for him wherever he landed. Now I'll cheer for the 49ers."
The 49ers drafted Greenlaw with the 10th selection of the fifth round (No. 148 overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft. He registered 183 combined tackles and three sacks during his final two seasons with the Razorbacks. Greenlaw recorded 80 combined tackles, 6.5 for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery as a senior in 2018.
H/t to Johnny Flores Jr. of Yahoo Sports for the find (via Matt Flanagan)