THE LAST WORD:

For any young boy, being drafted by one of the 32 professional teams in the National Football League would be a dream come true.

But if he’s been paying attention to the festivities in Newport Beach, he may say that part of that dream is to be drafted last, which means being Mr. Irrelevant.

Consider this year’s Mr. Irrelevant, David Vobora, a linebacker from the University of Idaho.

Vobora was surrounded by cheerleaders, lavished with gifts, whisked away to the Happiest Place on Earth at Disneyland and then taken to the second Happiest Place on Earth, the Playboy Mansion.

There are many Vobora could thank, but none more than Paul Salata.

Salata, himself a former NFL star, started Irrelevant Week in 1976. It was an instant hit and became defined “doing something nice for someone for no reason.”

But it’s more than that. It’s a reason to show off Newport Beach and all its finery. It’s a chance to make unforgettable memories for football players who are trying their hardest to make it in the big leagues.

So thanks Salata for keeping Irrelevant Week a part of who we all are. Thanks to all who volunteer for this event and work behind the scenes to make the show run smoothly.

And while he’ll always be Mr. Irrelevant to us, we’d rather see his on-the-field relevancy skyrocket by wearing a Rams jersey come September.