Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride shared an unexpected name when asked about his childhood idol during an interview with FanSided. Instead of looking up to household NFL heroes, McBride admired Joel Dreessen, a former nine-year veteran who largely flew under the radar. This revelation highlights a personal connection rather than mainstream fame as the source of McBride’s inspiration.
How Shared Roots Connected McBride and Dreessen
Joel Dreessen was a modest yet steady NFL presence, never surpassing 500 receiving yards in a season aside from one exception during his eight-year career. Despite this, McBride explained his admiration was rooted in their shared background. Both players grew up in the same Colorado city, attended Fort Morgan High School, and later played at Colorado State University.
“I had a tight end from my hometown, Joel Dreessen, who played in the NFL for a few years, and that’s who I really looked up to,”
McBride said.
“I wanted to be just like him, do everything that he did and kind of follow in his footsteps.”
Contrasting Career Paths Yet Shared Legacy
Dreessen was selected in the sixth round by the New York Jets in 2005 but spent the bulk of his career with the Houston Texans. Across 120 NFL games, he accumulated 158 receptions for 1,767 yards and 19 touchdowns. He later joined the Denver Broncos, his hometown team, before ending his professional career in 2014 due to a failed physical. Meanwhile, McBride has emerged as one of the NFL’s top tight ends, becoming a central figure in Arizona’s offense since his breakout in 2023. At age 26, McBride set a new single-season receptions record for tight ends with 126 catches in 2025, almost breaking this record the year prior.
The Significance of McBride’s Admiration and Its Impact on His Career
McBride’s choice to idolize Dreessen underscores the importance of local role models and tangible examples when pursuing professional dreams. His own rapid rise and near shattering of Dreessen’s entire career receiving numbers in just one season demonstrate the powerful motivation that such personal connections can inspire. As McBride continues to build his NFL legacy, he not only honors his childhood hero but also shines a spotlight on their shared Colorado roots.
“I had a tight end from my hometown, Joel Dreessen, who played in the NFL for a few years, and that’s who I really looked up to. I wanted to be just like him, do everything that he did and kind of follow in his footsteps.” – Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals Tight End
