ESPN.
Last night, in one of the most shocking draft day moves in recent memory, the Atlanta Falcons drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick. While the move was panned by some, there was one person guaranteed to love it: His girlfriend Olivia Carter.
Taking to Instagram after the draft, Carter posted some of the highlights of the draft party. On her Instagram Story, she shared her initial reaction to Penix being selected by the Falcons:
“And just like that, ATL here we come,” Carter wrote.
Carter was right by Penix’s side as the Falcons called to tell him that they had made him their top pick in the draft.
It was a controversial decision for a litany of reasons, not the least of which is that the Falcons already have a starter with Kirk Cousins, who they paid a king’s ransom to in order to bring into the fold.
The plan for now appears to be to let Penix sit and learn behind Cousins for a year or more until Cousins either retires, runs out his contract or just stops playing well.
Penix was solid for the Indiana Hoosiers but a revelation for the Washington Huskies, leading the team to their third conference title in the last 20 years and their first national title game appearance in decades.
His incredible athleticism, arm strength and accuracy made him an offseason star, though his injury history may have given some teams pause.
It didn’t give the Falcons any pause though and that’s what counts.