Southbury Native Shane Bannon Speaks About Being Drafted by Chiefs

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Southbury native Shane Bannon was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round of this year’s NFL draft, No. 223 overall.

A runner/receiver/blocker and all around versatile player, he is the first player from Yale to be drafted in seven years.

“It feels amazing, we haven’t had a draft pick since 2004,” he said in a conference call, “and you know all these guys work so hard, we work as hard as anyone across the country, I think it just gives the guys a lot to look forward too, truly talented players, hopefully be able to get some more guys.”

At Pomperaug High, Bannon earned eight varsity letters between football, track and hockey. He was an all-league selection in football.

Chiefs General Manager Scott Pioli said Bannon was on their radar just before his pro day workout last month.

He should be slotted to play as a blocking fullback, which sounds more exciting than law school, an option he said he was considering if he wasn’t drafted. That, or a graduate assistant spot so he could get his master's degree and coach.

He worked out with the Patriots, Seahawks, Packers and Bears, but it was the Chiefs who presented the best situation because they, “…don’t really have a true fullback like me, big running backs,” he said. “I think it’s a great fit, I look forward to playing for coach [Todd] Haley. I think that it’s a great fit for me and hopefully a great fit for them.”