Parkersburg High School senior Jacob Smith receives his invitation to attend the NFL Draft April 23-25 in PIttsburgh. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

PARKERSBURG — The jersey alone was better than sliced bread. Yet, more exciting news was yet to come.

In front of more than 75 students and faculty members inside the Parkersburg High School library on Tuesday morning, PHS senior Jacob Smith — a.k.a. Atlanta Falcons Super Fan — enjoyed all the hoopla surrounding his “surprise party.”

As part of the “Sports in American Culture” class, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London appeared by video chat for a question-and-answer session.

London, who was drafted the eighth overall pick out of USC in the 2022 NFL draft, caught 68 passes for 919 yards and seven touchdowns last season. His breakout year occurred two years ago when he hauled in 1000 passes for 1,1271 yards and nine TDs.

The conference call ended with London inviting Smith as an invited guest for the upcoming NFL draft in Pittsburgh (April 23-25).

Parkersburg High School senior, Jacob Smith, right, gets his picture taken with one of his teachers, Christine Walker, during a “Sports in American Culture” presentation, Tuesday inside the PHS library. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“I am a very big fan of the Falcons — ever since my uncle Dan talked me into being a fan,” Smith said. “This jersey is the best of the best — since sliced bread. Today felt like a surprise party, but I don’t mean like a surprise birthday party.”

A gift package was delivered to Sam Vincent, who teaches the class at PHS and he presented it to Smith on Tuesday. Among the items included were a Drake London No. 5 jersey and the official invitation to the NFL draft.

London’s personal invitation read: “I’m so excited to invite you to the 2026 NFL draft. We truly appreciate your support and know you will represent the Falcons well in Pittsburgh.”

Smith will be asked to announce a pick during the ceremonies.

“I sent an email back in November to the Falcons and said I know sometimes you allow super fans to announce a pick, and they happened to write me back,” said Vincent, who teaches “Sports in American Culture” class and invites well-known personalities throughout the sports world to talk with his students through conference calls. “No students knew at all. A few teachers who have Jacob and the principals knew just to make sure that he was here. I’ve been telling my students it would be a random NFL player. I’ve known since Thanksgiving, so yes, it was pretty tough keeping it quiet.

Through a conference call, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London was the special guest for “Sports in American Culture” class Tuesday inside the Parkersburg High School library. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“Jacob is a great student. Everyone knows how much he loves the NFL. You just wish he was in every one of your classes.”

Among the handful of individuals who will accompany Smith to Pittsburgh is his grandfather Dan Smith, who was also on hand inside the PHS library. Jacob’s uncle relayed the news to his daughters but no family member gave Jacob a hint about what was about to take place Tuesday inside the high school library.

“I was scared I would slip up because we talk football — Jacob has about 10 books of football cards,” Dan Smith said. “This is going to be an experience of a lifetime for him.”

Among the dozen or so students who asked London questions, Jacob Smith wasn’t hesitant in his delivery. Far from it. He was confident in his approach. A trait his grandfather says comes naturally.

“Jacob loves people – that’s going to make it easy for him at the draft,” Dan Smith said. “The bright lights won’t faze him a bit. He loves being a ham.”

Parkersburg High School senior Jacob Smith wears his Drake London jersey, which was part of the gift package inviting Smith to the NFL Draft April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com