Lethbridge football player Tanner McLachlan drafted by the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals
Years of hard work paid off for Tanner McLachlan after he heard his name called at the NFL draft last Saturday.
The Bengals picked the 25-year-old tight end in the sixth round with the 194th overall pick.
That made McLachlan the first ever player from Lethbridge to be drafted by an NFL team.
On Wednesday over 100 people packed in the gym at McLachlan’s old high school, Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, to celebrate McLachlan’s accomplishment.
“It's a blessing. (I'm just) super grateful to represent southern Alberta and all the people here," said McLachlan. "I hope i keep making people proud and just keep doing my thing,”
McLachlan finished his high school career as LCI's all time reception leader.
He started his college career at Southern Utah University before transferring to the University of Arizona.
He finished his career as Arizona’s all-time reception leader for a tight end, beating the record held by Rob Gronkowski.
A strong redshirt senior year helped convince the Bengals to spend a sixth round pick on McLachlan.
It's been a whirlwind few days for the entire family.
McLachlan’s parents are still wrapping their heads around their son being an NFL draft pick.
“It's honestly been surreal. It's been awesome to watch Tanner on his journey and for us to experience that with him and be a part of that ride,” said Tanner’s dad, Sheldon.
LCI coaches still have fond memories of McLachlan.
Basketball was his first love but once he stepped onto the football field he dominated on both sides of the ball.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More Canadians only making minimum payment on credit cards: TransUnion
Some Canadians are seeing their credit card balances grow as the cost-of-living crisis and higher interest rates eat into household budgets, a new report shows.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
Tanks reach Rafah's centre as Israel presses assault despite global scrutiny
Israeli tanks reached the centre of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday, witnesses said, three weeks into a ground operation in the southern Gaza city that has sparked global condemnation.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
Arm of mummy came off after mishandling by museum staff: Mexican government
Mexico's federal archaeology agency on Monday accused the conservative-governed city of Guanajuato of mistreating one of the country’s famous mummified 19th century bodies.
Five of Ontario's top 10 worst roads are located in the Toronto area
A new pothole-riddled street in Hamilton has taken the top spot for the worst road in Ontario, according to a new list released by the Canadian Automotive Association (CAA) on Tuesday.
DEVELOPING In Trump's hush money trial, prosecutors and defence lawyers are poised to make final pitch to jury
Prosecutors and defence lawyers in Donald Trump's hush money trial are set to deliver closing arguments to the jury Tuesday, each side looking to score final points with the panel before it starts deliberating the fate of the first former American president to be charged with felony crimes.
Red Lobster in Ontario court to discuss U.S. bankruptcy case, Canadian assets: docs
A lawyer for Red Lobster Canada, Inc. says he will ask an Ontario court today to recognize and enforce the chain’s U.S. bankruptcy protection proceedings, a process which documents show could include selling Canadian assets.