ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 21, 1996 TAG: 9604220066
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
Virginia Tech's Bryan Still never will forget where he was when the San Diego Chargers called his name Saturday during the NFL draft.
``Believe it or not, I was at a mall, just walking around,'' Still said.
Today, Still probably is walking on air. The hero of Tech's landmark Sugar Bowl victory over Texas was taken by San Diego in the second round, the 41st player picked in the draft.
``This is a dream come true, it really is,'' Still said by phone. ``I'm glad to be going to San Diego. I'm heading out there [today], so we'll see what happens.''
Still, whose draft stock rose significantly after he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds at the NFL scouting combine in February, was the eighth wide receiver selected.
``I'm just glad this is all over with ... it'll drive you crazy,'' said Still, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound flanker.
After watching the entire first round of the draft on ESPN at his grandmother's house in Martinsville, Still said he could take no more. So he bolted for a nearby shopping mall.
Little did he know he would come home with such a nice gift. When Still arrived back at his grandmother's house, a wave of family members greeted him with the news.
``Everybody came out hollering at me,'' Still said. ``It was great news. I'm sorry I missed the announcement and everything that was on TV. I just couldn't take it anymore. It was so nerve-wracking just sitting there, watching and waiting.''
Still said he spoke to Chargers coach Bobby Ross and general manager Bobby Beathard on the phone Saturday night. Ross is close friends with Tech head coach Frank Beamer.
``I know Coach Beamer put in a good word for me,'' Still said.
San Diego traded its first-round pick in 1997 to Tampa Bay for the pick it used to select Still.
``Coach Ross and Mr.Beathard both said they really wanted me and that they're high on what I can bring to their football team,'' Still said. ``I must have been, since they went to the trouble of making a trade.''
LENGTH: Short : 46 linesby CNB