NFL DRAFT Gallery's family heads to Big Apple for celebration

The name of the Iowa offensive lineman is expected to be called early.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Spring planting on the Gallery farm will have to wait this year. New York City and the NFL draft are calling.
Robert Gallery, the massive offensive lineman from Iowa, is expected to be one of the first players taken in the draft April 24 -- maybe the very first.
And when his name is called, Gallery's family -- his parents, three brothers and a sister -- will be there at Madison Square Garden with him.
"Their expenses will be on me this time," said Gallery, soon to be making more than enough to cover their bill.
As for getting that crop in the ground, what's the rush? The seed and tractor will still be there when Mike and Mary Gallery return to their farm near the tiny northeastern Iowa town of Masonville, population 129.
"Dad was kind of upset that the draft landed in this part of the year," Gallery said Tuesday. "It is right when he's getting ready for planting and stuff. But I think he can miss a couple of days. I think he's gladly shutting it down for a day or two."
Outland Trophy winner
And why not? His son won the 2003 Outland Trophy as the nation's top lineman, and he's one of the most highly regarded prospects in this year's draft, April 24-25. If the San Diego Chargers don't take Gallery with the first pick, the Oakland Raiders just might at No. 2.
Only two offensive linemen have been the No. 1 pick. The St. Louis Rams took Orlando Pace in 1997, and the Minnesota Vikings selected Ron Yary in 1968.
"I know a lot of the top teams really like me," Gallery said. "There's trades and different things that could happen. Who knows? It doesn't happen very often. But that's my goal. I want to be the first pick.
"But wherever I end up, it's going to be good for me. It's really up to those teams -- if they decide they want me and I'm their guy. We'll see what happens."
Solid numbers
There's a lot to like about Gallery, starting with his build: 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds. He has run the 40-yard dash in under 5 seconds. Growing up on a farm, he learned the value of discipline and hard work. He spent a semester at Iowa student teaching in an elementary school.
His character is as solid as his body.
"I really think that's Robert's best attribute," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "His physical abilities are pretty significant, needless to say. But I think the kind of person he is, the kind of pride he has, the work ethic, those intangibles that he possesses, the way he was raised, to me those are his best attributes."
Always a popular player at Iowa, Gallery's fame has spread. Reporters from all over call for interviews. He walks through airports and sees himself on magazine covers. People stop him to ask if he really is who they think he is.
Big hair
Then again, Gallery is a hard guy to forget with his size, the long, dark hair he hasn't cut in 2 1/2 years and he has pulled back into a ponytail, and the two silver hoops hanging from each ear.
Once, he was seated on a plane next to a man who was reading a story about Gallery. The man would look at his magazine, look over at Gallery and then back at the magazine.
"He didn't really say anything until the end of the ride," Gallery said. "He didn't realize it was me. Actually, I asked him if I could read it."
Even with all the attention, Gallery insists he's the same person who showed up at Iowa as a skinny tight end in 1999. He still drives the 1984 Buick LeSabre he had in high school. It reflects who he is, Gallery said, though the last time he washed it, he discovered the windshield leaks.
"I don't think any of this experience will change me a whole lot, besides possibly the size of my bank account," he said.