As the Detroit Lions made their pick, selecting Texas Tech defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard in the sixth round of the 2026

In the NFL Draft with pick No. 205 overall, Gill-Howard touched upon a family connection that dates back to his grandfather, which is bound to make anyone chuckle.

Apparently, as the DT waited in anticipation for his turn, he only had one hat in his room as he waited to be drafted that belonged to his grandfather.

Gill-Howard didn't have a hat at his disposal, and so naturally, he needed one as the draft party was ongoing, and luckily for him, his "gramps" came to his rescue.

"So this is funny: I didn't have time to go grab a hat, and nobody else did. So my grandfather, a big Detroit fan, walked up to me and said, 'Look at my hat. So my grandfather gave me his hat. I told him to get a new one. When I get up there, I'm going to send him one, but I've got to keep this one," said Gill-Howard as he shared this funny moment.

This is exactly why he was able to fashion a cap on the spot. The former Red Raider went down as the sixth-round pick and now will be a part of his grandfather's favorite team as a player.

His resilience paid dividends, and even after suffering from a season-ending ankle injury last year, he stuck by the team, providing them with emotional support, even securing the  E.J. Holub Double Tough Award, one of the annual team honors.

So his qualities are not hidden by any means, and recently, NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler also gave him full credit.

Dane Brugler Praises Gill-Howard's Leadership Abilities

As DT Skylar Gill-Howard makes his foray into the NFL, 23-year-old and even NFL analyst, Dane Brugler wasn't coy about his feelings for the recruit.

"Every prospect takes a different journey to the NFL’s doorstep, and Gill-Howard is no exception. He made the transition to the defensive line without sacrificing his athleticism, which allows him to slice through gaps and work down the line of scrimmage."

"Though built with solid mass, he lacks ideal size and length for trench work, which often puts him at a disadvantage. His leadership capabilities won’t go unnoticed by NFL coaches," concludes Brugler.

With Skylar, there has never been an issue with his work ethic.

He has everything to be a strong contributing factor to the team, and that was apparent from the way he chose to bulk up and gain 50 pounds so that he could switch from playing linebacker to defensive line for the Red Raiders.

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Written by

Sourav Ganguly

Edited by

Kalp Thaker