The Lessons Of '98

Four Pro Bowls

WIDE RECEIVER

# 16

Kevin Dyson
TENNESSEE

Retired in 2005

# 92

Hines Ward
PITTSBURGH

Super Bowl XL MVP

MATT HASSELBECK had been invited to the 1998 NFL scouting combine after his senior season, so the Boston College quarterback began to wonder why he hadn't heard about travel details as the annual football job fair approached. When he called a league official to inquire about his itinerary, there was an awkward silence. Seems that Hasselbeck was the lowest-rated of the 16 invited senior quarterbacks, and after a junior declared for the draft, Hasselbeck's invitation was rescinded. No one had bothered to tell him.

"Who's the junior?" Hasselbeck asked.