Nothing gets you over a bad day of fishing like being selected in the NFL draft.
Dave Tollefson, the Green Bay Packers' final pick in the 2006 draft, was fishing off the California Delta for largemouth bass in a fishing competition with a friend when the Packers phoned him the good news.
Tollefson, on his way to weigh-in his catch, said it had been a tough day of fishing during his media teleconference, but was excited about his opportunity with the Packers.
"I did kind of a trial run a week ago to make sure I would have service everywhere on the water," Tollefson said. "Fortunately enough I got the call."
Tollefson had a long road to get to this point. After playing the 1999 and 2000 seasons in junior college, Tollefson suffered injuries that kept him off the field for three years. He even decided to become a carpenter's apprentice for a little more than a year. Finally, with the encouragement of a friend, Tollefson got back on track at Northwest Missouri State University.
"I decided to gamble on going back to college," Tollefson said. "I chose to come back and even had to pay for the first school year."
In two seasons with the Bearcats, Tollefson recorded 21 sacks, and 29.5 tackles for losses. In the 2005 season he earned All-Mid American Intercollegiate Athletic Association first-team honors, and won the Gene Upshaw Award.
Tollefson doesn't think his MAIA experience will set him back in the pros.
"(NWMS) was really good as far as Division II goes," Tollefson said. "I've actually played against some really good guys."
The Packers expect Tollefson to help add depth to the defensive line position.
But first, Tollefson might have to pick up ice fishing.
"I guess I better learn how to now," Tollefson said laughing.
