Tamme was on the telephone talking to Indianapolis officials when he saw the Rams pick Burton.
"I had to stop for just a second. Who would have ever thought it would work out that way," Tamme said.
The Kentucky tight end never anticipated being the first UK player picked in the draft, either. Almost everyone thought that would be quarterback Andre Woodson.
Instead, the first in-state player drafted Sunday was Eastern Kentucky University defensive back Antwaun Molden in the third round, with the 79th overall pick, by the Houston Texans. Five choices later, the Atlanta Falcons took Louisville wide receiver Harry Douglas with the 84th overall pick.
Two other Louisville players - tight end Gary Barnidge (fifth round to the Carolina Panthers) and offensive tackle Breno Giacomini (fifth round to the Green Bay Packers) - went next.
Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson, who was once projected as a possible first-round pick, went in the sixth round to the New York Giants with the 198th pick. Receiver Steve Johnson went in the seventh round.
Kentucky linebacker Wesley Woodyard was not drafted.
"It did surprise me to be the first Kentucky player picked," Tamme said. "I know how strong a senior class we had.
"But the draft is weird. You shouldn't be surprised by anything. Yet there's no way I thought I would be the first player taken. Andre and Wes are going to have great careers. Somebody is going to wish they had picked both of them when they see what kind of players they turn out to be."
