Corey Clement, family excited over signing with hometown Eagles

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA -- 253 players heard their names called on the Ben Franklin Parkway during NFL Draft weekend, but Glassboro, New Jersey's Corey Clement, wasn't one of them.

The former Wisconsin running back says that left a bit of a scar.

"It was definitely confusing, frustrating, and U was asking why I didn't get the call throughout the whole draft process until after. A lot of teams were asking for a free agent signing. I didn't think I was going to be in that situation," Clement said.

But he was in that situation.

And this story has a happy ending because the very first team to pick up the phone was his hometown Philadelphia Eagles, and he signed as a free agent, much to the delight of his family and friends.

"I think they were more excited than me. They're very happy for what I'm doing as far as in college, still graduating, and just playing back home. So they don't have to go far to watch me play," Clement said.

On Tuesday, Clement stood outside Lincoln Financial Field, the stadium where he watched so many Eagles games as a kid. And yet, he has never actually touched the playing surface.

Now, he's so close to that dream becoming a reality.

"It's definitely surreal. Growing up all my life, I wondered what it would be like to ever play in that stadium, even if I'm not an Eagle. Now I got the opportunity to, so I have to make the most of it," Clement said.

But first, he'll have to change allegiances.

A few weeks ago, he told Action News he was a Dallas Cowboys fan.

How about now?

"I'm an Eagles fan all the way," Clement said with a laugh.

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