Everyone knows the idiom “to walk in someone else’s shoes,” but one newly minted professional football player took the phrase literally at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
As the next generation of NFL stars showed up in style for football’s big night, Jordyn Tyson laced up his older brother Jaylon Tyson’s sneakers, which held a bit of their own sentimental sports history.
The Arizona State wide receiver said on the red carpet he was in “the same exact shoes” his brother had worn to the 2024 NBA Draft — a pair of Louis Vuitton Skate Sneakers in black and white.
The brothers now share another unique bond, being selected in the first round of the drafts for their respective sports.
Jaylon Tyson was selected 20th overall in the NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2024, while Jordyn Tyson was selected 8th overall in the NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints on Thursday.
Although Jaylon Tyson couldn’t attend the NFL Draft to support his brother due to the NBA Playoffs, his family was seen watching the Cavaliers in Game 3 against the Toronto Raptors on a laptop as they awaited Jordyn Tyson’s selection in Pittsburgh.
When the big moment finally came, Jordyn Tyson joined NFL commissioner Roger Goodell onstage, put on his new black and gold Saints hat and shared advice for anyone else looking to follow their dreams.
“Life is not easy. Keep going, boy, you got it. You strong, I promise you. You so strong. Just keep going,” Jordyn Tyson said.
Rounds 2 and 3 of the NFL Draft kick off Friday night at 7 p.m. ET and will air on ABC, streaming on ESPN+.