:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32858791/181491437.0.jpg)
On a cold night in Corvallis, Ben Gardner felt his chest tear apart.
Seven months later, he know knows what it's like to feel like an NFL draft pick.
With the 231st pick in the draft, the Dallas Cowboys snagged Gardner on Sunday, making him the sixth Stanford player picked in the 2014 draft and the third Cardinal player headed to the NFC East.
A torn pectoral muscle ended Gardner's Stanford career back in October, but the former two-star recruit has battled all the way back from the injury to finally get that call from Dallas. Gardner's biggest step on the road to the draft was his impressive pro day, where he logged a 39.5 inch vertical jump at 262 pounds.
Gardner will play 3-technique defensive tackle for the Cowboys' defense, which was the worst in the NFL a season ago, surrendering 6,645 total yards. It's hard to tell exactly what Gardner's chances are of making the team - the Cowboys have added several defensive players this draft already - but I know I wouldn't bet against him.
COWBOYS BABAYYYYY!!! Time to get to work
— Ben Gardner (@BennyG49) May 10, 2014
That star is lookin clean!! Momma more excited than me in te background lol #cowboys http://t.co/zRcn3em9Z6
— Ben Gardner (@BennyG49) May 10, 2014
Looks like the Cowboys have upgraded from DeMarcus Ware. Congrats @BennyG49
— Henry Anderson (@HenryAnderson91) May 10, 2014
Just found out about Benny G's. Guy earned it. And NO STATE INCOME TAX! Congrats
— Sam Schwartzstein (@SamHaammer) May 10, 2014
With the selection of Ben Gardner, @StanfordFball has tied its record for players drafted in a single year (6). Fifth time.
— Kyle Bonagura (@BonaguraESPN) May 10, 2014
The boy @BennyG49 to the Cowboys! Woooooo! #RobQ
— James Vaughters (@QueliusCampbell) May 10, 2014
Ben Gardner played DE at Stanford, but look for him to kick inside for the #Cowboys as a 3-technique
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) May 10, 2014
Ben Gardner going ahead of Shayne Skov, wow.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) May 10, 2014