KCNSC Employee Announces Pick at NFL Draft
While many of us were watching Kansas City host the 2023 NFL Draft from TV or from the front lawn of Union Station, one of our own got as close to the action as anyone when he was selected to announce a pick during the fourth round of The Draft on Saturday afternoon.
Ricardo Miranda Navarro is a Technical Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, currently stationed with the 442nd Civil Engineering Squadron out of the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base. When the NFL put the call out for local service men and women to announce selections at this year’s event, Ricardo’s sergeant thought his story would make him a prime candidate. He and his family immigrated from El Salvador when he was five years old, and he has been a proud Kansas Citian ever since. A single father of three daughters, Ricardo first enlisted in the Air Force Reserves in 2016 and reenlisted last year in his desire to continue his military career. He also aids in our national security mission as a quality inspector for the cables team at the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC).
Needless to say, the NFL was quick to select Ricardo as a selector for The Draft.
“I got out of work two weeks ago and had missed calls from my Sergeant and a message to call back immediately,” Ricardo recalled. “When I called back, I got the news the NFL picked me to announce a draft pick. I was super excited for this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The day came and it was no doubt a surreal experience. Ricardo, who was accompanied by his daughter, Anabella, met and took a picture with actor and Kansas City native Paul Rudd. The time then came for Ricardo and Anabella to head on stage to announce the selection for the Chicago Bears.
“Good afternoon, Kansas City!” Ricardo shouted. “With the 133rd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select Tyler Scott, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati.”
Despite his flawless delivery, Ricardo admitted that he felt some nerves before the announcement, but his daughter’s presence calmed any butterflies when he got onstage.
“I did feel a bit nervous considering you don’t know who you’re announcing until a minute before you go on stage,” he explained. “My daughter joined me and she was nervous standing in front of all those people, but I think holding hands helped both of us not be nervous.”
Ricardo and Tyler Scott are now forever linked, with Ricardo officially kicking off Scott’s professional career in the NFL. Ricardo made sure to reach out to the wide receiver shortly after making the announcement.
“I messaged Tyler on Instagram to tell him congratulations on becoming a pro football player, that I’ll have to get his jersey and, one day, have him sign it.” Ricardo said. “He did message me back to say ‘thank you’ and he would get me a signature.”
It was a day that Ricardo, Anabella and many others will never forget. He represented Kansas City, the KCNSC and the Air Force to the highest degree.
“I am a Kansas City Chiefs fan, but I was up there representing something bigger than myself -the Air Force,” Ricardo concluded. And now I have an excuse to watch the Bears and cheer on Tyler Scott anytime I hear his name, the name I called out.”
