The San Francisco 49ers made the final pick of the draft a family affair.
Minutes after using the first of two seventh-round picks on New Mexico State tight end Sandor "Sean" Manuel on Sunday, the 49ers used the 254th and last selection on his twin brother Samuel, an outside linebacker at New Mexico State."Never in the history of the National Football League have twin brothers been drafted by the same team in the same draft," said club president Carmen Policy, adding with a smile, "this is a significant example of the family atmosphere that is promoted and fostered here at 49ers headquarters.
"It is also an opportunity for our PR department to exhibit their creativity, their amazing sense of the unusual. I'm sure you'll have a great deal of fun with them when it comes to interviews and numbers on jerseys."
The brothers were on an airplane flight Sunday and unavailable for comment, according to the 49ers.
As the last pick in the draft, Samuel Manuel becomes the latest "Mr. Irrelevant," a tag arising from annual festivities later this summer in Newport Beach, Calif., for the final selections of the draft.
"It's a fun pick," said Policy, who traditionally makes the team's last draft pick. "But I have to tell you something: It's also a serious pick. It's not just a pick-a-name-out-of-the-hat situation. We felt that these two made a contribution together as brothers to New Mexico State and I think we're going to experience the same thing."
During his senior campaign, Sean Manuel caught 46 passes for 435 yards and four touchdowns. He was also known as a rugged blocker, which was especially appealing to the 49ers, who were seeking a physical tight end for short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Samuel Manuel started 32 of 33 games at New Mexico State while playing both defensive end and outside linebacker, the position the 49ers envision him playing.
"The older brother (Sean) was absolutely delighted to be drafted by the 49ers," he said. "He indicated, No. 1, that his mother wanted them playing together and, No. 2, wanted them playing for the 49ers. So it's kind of uplifting, fun and we also think competitively they'll both help us."