Dreams come true for many NFL outlooks starting Thursday night in Green Bay when the 2025 NFL draft starts with its first round.

Over the weekend, hard work will pay off for 257 players, and many more will not be -drawn free agents attending a team in training camp.

But even though the party is sure to follow the long journey to get to this point, Green Bay Packers hit the legend Clay Matthews these prospects with a bit of reality in a recent conversation with Pakinomist Digital.

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“What I found at the draft evening is when you are a draft, all that led up to the point-gymnasium, college, no matter what it may be-that everything falls away,” he said while he was in Lowe’s Green Room, where the first round views like Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty and will be present on Thursday night and wait to see who will play in 2025.

Now Matthews’ comments are not intended to scare the prospects. In fact, he considers that moment after being drafted as a lifetime – proves that you are worthy of the election.

“It’s a fresh slate that may be difficult for some, but for others it’s an opportunity,” he explained. “So I looked at it as an opportunity to prove myself, and a lot of these other young men will too … Now it’s up to you and you can control your own destiny at that time.”

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How exactly do you check your fate that comes into the pros? The transition can be extremely difficult for some. For others it seems easy.

Matthews did so in 2009 when Packers jumped back in the first round to neighbor him # 26 overall out of the USC. He also admitted to having a better idea of ​​what he might expect when his grandfather, Clay Matthews Sr., and father, Clay Matthews Jr., both played professionally.

However, it is always different as the game progresses, so Matthew’s exhausted some wise words for these prospects that want to have a quick influence on their new team.

“For me, I found that the greatest ability for rookies coming in is to know the Playbook and be responsible,” he said. “I found like a rookie, many of the time they are not looking for you to be a superstar. They make sure you can fit in, know your job. There are many abilities but accountability is one of them.

“Don’t be afraid of something less. Take care of your job and the other steps will be more comfortable.”

Green Bay Packers’ Clay Matthews celebrates during a game against San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field. (John Biever /Sports Illustrated Via Getty Images)

Part of taking care of your job in the field is to make sure things are sound from it.

A main factor in it is the economic side of the game as millions of dollars roll into young player’s bank accounts, and it can be overwhelming if planning and budgeting are not performed correctly.

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However, Nil offers in college have changed the game with regard to these athletes who understand what a great payday is. Still, a sports -muslustrated report had 78% of NFL players facing serious financial difficulties after retirement.

Being smart with money now, as well as fire building is crucial to make sure your on-the-Field tasks have not been hindered.

“I was lucky that my whole family was part of this football game, so I grew up and knew that the pitfalls that Drafting can bring – money and fame and everything that comes with it,” Matthews said.

Former Green Bay Packers Linebacker Clay Matthews speaks during a press conference before Packers Hall of Fame Induction knocked on August 29, 2024 at Lambeau Field. (IMagn)

“You just have to have a good team in place. Meeting with financial advisers before, I highly recommend that for people. Obviously, people feel a certain way about agents and would represent themselves. I had someone who handled it and marketing. I just made sure I handled my performance on the field, whether it was training in the season when I was in Green Bay. Go-NO OFF-FIELD DISTRACTS. “

It gets a little hectic for these prospects once drafted, but softening at the moment and really living in the present when they hear their names called is what means first.

Then it’s time to do your job.