Pandemonium breaks out in Lelie hometown
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
For one chest-pounding day, Beaufort, S.C., was no longer the quietest town in America.
"We've been screaming and hollering," said Annetta Lelie, a celebration triggered when her son, former University of Hawai'i wide receiver Ashley Lelie, was selected in the first round by the Denver Broncos yesterday. "We're still screaming and hollering."
Lelie became the first UH player ever chosen in the first round of the National Football League draft.
"Awesome," UH coach June Jones said. "I'm happy for Ashley and his family."
Lelie's stomach was a butterfly net as he watched ESPN's telecast of the first round. When it was Atlanta's turn, with the 18th pick, Lelie believed he would receive his first job offer.
"I thought that would be the pick," Lelie said.
But Annetta Lelie thought otherwise. "I knew he would go to Denver or Washington," she recalled.
Just after Atlanta chose a running back, the Broncos called, saying they would take Lelie. But the Broncos elected to use nearly all of their allotted time.
"That was the longest 15 minutes of my life," Annetta Lelie said.
Then it was announced the Broncos had selected Lelie, at No. 19.
"It was such a great feeling," Lelie said. "Just seeing my name go across the bottom of the screen was a dream come true. ... I didn't care if I was the last pick in the first round. My dream was to get picked in the first round."
Rene Lelie said, "We're ecstatic. We're very happy for him. He was able to excel with what he had."
Rene Lelie said he had hoped his son would go to Atlanta, a four-hour drive from Beaufort. But he knew his wife, as usual, would be right.
"I think she surfs the Internet a little bit more," he said, laughing. "But it doesn't matter. We're very happy."
Lelie said he looks forward to playing for the Broncos. A tall and fast receiver, like the 6-foot-2fi Lelie, is a natural fit in coach Mike Shanahan's wide-open offense. Lelie said he also will benefit from the leadership of tight end Shannon Sharpe and running back Terrell Davis.
"I get to learn from two future Hall of Famers," he said. "I think I'll have a chance to get a Super Bowl ring."
Lelie added he "followed the Broncos back in the day, when they had John Elway. This is a great opportunity."
Said Jones: "I'm glad he's going to Denver. They'll do a lot of stuff with him."
Annetta Lelie said more than 25 family members and friends attended the draft party at their home. They came from as far as California, Alaska and Hawai'i. "I've been cooking for two days," she said.
"It was nice to be around close family and friends," said Lelie, who also expressed gratitude to Jones and former UH quarterback Nick Rolovich.
"If it weren't for Rolo, I probably wouldn't be in this position right now," Lelie said. "I really want to thank Rolo."
Said Rolovich: "I'm real happy for him. We went through a lot together. We've had a lot of good friendship moments the last few years. He deserves everything he is getting."
"Rolo deserves this, too," Lelie said. "I hope he gets drafted."
Lelie also said he hopes his draft selection will draw more NFL scouts to Hawai'i.
"Hopefully, I won't be the last first-round pick from Hawai'i," Lelie said.
That attitude was praised by ESPN commentators, who spoke of Lelie's "high character" during the telecast.
"As a parent," Rene Lelie said, "it means a lot to hear that. We're happy for what Lelie has done as a player and we're very proud of what he has done as a person, too."
