A dream came true for a Massachusetts football player on draft night.
"With the 14th pick of the 2019 NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons select Chris Lindstrom," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Thursday night.
The news brought sheer joy for Boston College offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom and his family. The Dudley native and Shepherd Hill Regional High School graduate will be playing professional football for the Falcons.
"It's a dream come true, and just kind of like this whole process, it doesn't hit you until it's over and you're like, 'Wow, that's pretty awesome.'"
And you could say this is the role the 6'4" 300-pound Lindstrom was born to play — football runs in his family.
His dad and two uncles played professional football — his father even coached him during his years at Shepherd Hill.
"Surreal," said Chris Lindstrom Sr. "I mean, the 14th pick. Wait until they see what they got."
U.S. & World
Lindstrom's mom says she thinks back to Chris as a little boy, playing Charlton-Dudley Youth Football with his brother, and she is so proud of what he's accomplished.
"It's exciting, it's thrilling, but it's also bittersweet, because as a mom, you can understand, you've put all your love, you devotion into your kids," said Dawn Lindstrom. "He's successful, he's flying, but he's also leaving."
Chris Lindstrom knows he has a lot of hard work ahead of him, but growing up one of six kids in a family that stressed humility and kindness, he's confident he will stay grounded.
"We always talked about — on the field is one thing, but then off the field, you have to be a great gentleman and an ambassador to the game," he said.
"It's hard, but it's so fulfilling, and it's what he's made for," Lindstrom's father said.
The athlete's mom said she's definitely happy to have fellow BC alum Matt Ryan on the team — and she says she's glad Atlanta is only a two-hour plane ride away.
The Lindstroms say they are so thankful for all the love and support from the Dudley and Charlton communities, as well as his BC teammates.
The family has been getting phone calls, texts and even people honking as they drive by the house.
