Joe Alt, a former standout offensive lineman from Notre Dame, was the first at his position to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. He watched the draft from home as the Los Angeles Chargers picked him with the fifth overall pick. Cameras captured the reaction of Alt and his loved ones, as well as his girlfriend Emilie Meyer, who attended the same Minnesota high school as him. Meyer’s serious expression when Alt was announced as the Chargers’ pick sparked discussion on social media, with some making jokes about California state taxes impacting Alt’s salary.
The clip of Meyer’s reaction quickly went viral on social media, with observers making humorous comments about her facial expression. Alt’s future paychecks from the Chargers will indeed be subject to California state taxes, as well as taxes in other states when the team travels for road games. This is a common issue for professional athletes, known as the “jock tax,” which taxes the income that nonresidents earn when they visit a state. Meyer, who is also an athlete competing on the Drake University track and field team, was later seen celebrating with Alt and the others at the draft party.
Criticism arose towards the Chargers for selecting an offensive lineman in the top five, but first-year coach Jim Harbaugh defended the decision. Harbaugh emphasized the importance of the offensive line as a weapon in the team’s attack. His history of developing a physical brand of football during his time at Michigan suggests that Alt will be a key player in establishing the Chargers’ new offensive identity. The team’s focus on building a strong offensive line is seen as a strategic move to improve performance on the field.
Overall, Alt’s selection as the first offensive lineman in the draft marks an important milestone in his career as he prepares to join the NFL. The reaction from his girlfriend Emilie Meyer during the draft party generated significant attention on social media, particularly regarding the impact of state taxes on his salary as a professional athlete. Coach Jim Harbaugh’s emphasis on the offensive line as a crucial element of the team’s attack strategy highlights the importance of Alt’s role in shaping the Chargers’ offensive presence on the field. As Alt moves forward in his NFL career, all eyes will be on his performance and contribution to the team.
