Former Catholic Memorial star JC Latham gives Roger Goodell huge bear hug after being picked by Titans in 2024 NFL draft

JC Latham must not have gotten the memo that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is recovering from back surgery.

After the former Catholic Memorial High School star was selected No. 7 overall in the 2024 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans he might have given Goodell the biggest bear hug ever that even lifted him off his feet.

Or it might have felt like the biggest for Goodell, who is just a few weeks removed from back surgery. Because of that, it was uncertain whether Goodell would give the first-round selections hugs, a long tradition.

He didn't have much of a choice when the 6-foot-6, 320-pound Latham walked on the stage, slapped hands with him and then opened his arms, grabbed Goodell and raised the commissioner off the ground.

Take a look:

Twitter reacts to JC Latham's hug of Roger Goodell during 2024 NFL draft

Tennessee Titans draft pick JC Latham starred at Alabama

After growing up in the Bay View Redcats youth program, Latham played two seasons at Catholic Memorial, winning a state championship in 2018. He then transferred to IMG Academy in Florida for his final two years of high school.

Latham was an All-American offensive lineman at Alabama under head coach Nick Saban, who retired after an illustrious career and was part of ESPN’s NFL draft broadcast.

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JC Latham's dad honors sons during 2024 NFL draft

Latham's dad, Jerome, was featured on the broadcast after JC was drafted.

"It's been a long journey," Jerome said. "A lot of effort, some crying, some losses, some wins. A lot of pain but this is a victory."

He then showed off a necklace that included a photo of his sons, JC and Langston, when they were younger. Langston won state championships at Catholic Memorial in 2019 and 2021 and now is playing in college.

"This is where it started," Jerome said. "So I had to pull it off."