Heisman (SC’s Palmer) to meet the Lowsman

For the first time ever, the winner of college football’s Heisman

Trophy and possible first pick in the NFL draft will be honored

alongside the final selection -- also known as Mr. Irrelevant -- when

festivities get underway in June in Newport Beach.

USC quarterback Carson Palmer -- last season’s Heisman Trophy

winner -- will be toasted at the annual banquet that celebrates the

last pick in the NFL draft with the Lowsman Trophy. The Orange County

Youth Sports Foundation will honor Palmer and Mr. Irrelevant at a

banquet scheduled for June 26 at a hotel to be determined.

“Carson Palmer is a pretty special person around these parts,”

said Paul Salata, founder of Irrelevant Week and Orange County’s

youth sports foundation. “We’ve been trying to work out an

arrangement where Palmer would be the last draft pick, thereby

ensuring that we could honor him with the Lowsman Trophy to go on his

mantle next to his Heisman.”

Salata will make his traditional appearance in New York to

announce the final selection of the NFL draft April 27 before a

national audience on ESPN2.

“I checked with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagilabue and he confirmed

there are no rules against one player accepting the Heisman and

Lowsman,” Salata said.

Irrelevant Week XXVIII begins with an arrival party Monday, June

23, when Mr. Irrelevant will be welcomed to Newport Beach with a jazz

band, food, cheerleaders and gifts.

Mr. Irrelevant will be a guest at Disneyland and several other

area attractions prior to the June 26 banquet. On Friday, June 27,

festivities will close with a tailgate party before the Angel-Dodger

baseball game at Edison Field.