National Football League

Manuel's phone a hot line at draft

Published Apr. 26, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

Sam Gardner

The Buffalo Bills surprised fans across the country when they took former Florida State signal caller EJ Manuel with the 16th pick of the NFL Draft, making him the only quarterback picked in Thursday night’s first round.

The selection didn’t necessarily come as a shock to Manuel, however, as he had previously indicated that the Bills were among the teams interested in his services. But he was most definitely stunned when his phone rang while Miami was picking at No. 3 and a stranger mistakenly congratulated him on becoming the newest member of the Dolphins.

Manuel recounted the awkward exchange Friday during an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show.

“When Dion Jordan got selected, someone called my hotline phone that was there at the draft,” Manuel told Patrick. “I think they were looking for Dion, but I got excited because I heard it ring. I was like, Man, that’s a prank call right there.'

“Somebody was like ‘Congratulations, buddy,’ and I was like, ‘Aw thanks, appreciate it, who's this?’” Manuel added. “They were like, 'Is this Dion?' and I said 'No sir,' and then they hung up. That was kind of rough, but nonetheless, I got picked later on, so it was all good.”

The misdialed call happened a second time before the Bills finally made him their man.

According to USA Today, the phone rang again when the Cleveland Browns — a team that gave serious consideration to Manuel earlier in the draft process — picked LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo at No. 6.

It was the same guy, calling the same wrong number.