Friday, February 1, 2013

Ted Ginn Jr.'s Dolphins tattoo 'part of my legacy'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

After etching his name in the fraternity of draft busts, many questioned whether Ted Ginn Jr., who was selected 9th overall by the Miami Dolphins in 2007, could play in the NFL.

Sunday, he'll be playing in the Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers. Well, maybe not playing. But he'll be there. (photo: Ed Yourdon, Flickr)

“I knew one day that I was going to be here,” Ginn told Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post Thursday.

Ginn, who was drafted to be the team's eventual No. 1 receiver for years to come, caught just five touchdowns in three years with Miami. The speedster did find the end zone three times on returns during that span, but that didn't do anything for his stock as a wideout.

To add perspective, Volin points out that three of today's star players -- 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (11th overall), Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (12th) and Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (14th) -- were taken over the five picks after Ginn.

The now-27 year old was traded to the 49ers in 2010 for a fifth round draft pick. He caught his first and last touchdown with San Francisco that year but has returned another three touchdowns since.

Ginn, slated to be a free agent in March, could be on his last leg in the league. Looking back, he said he had "nothing but good times" in Miami.

“I still got my Dolphin sign,” Ginn told Volin before showing off his Dolphins tattoo on his right arm. “Got it as soon as they drafted me. It’s all part of my legacy. I got no regrets or nothing.”

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