The Excitement of Being At NFL Drafts

SFloridaCowboy

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I attended the 1974-1978 drafts in NYC. This was before it became standing room only, waiting outdoors over night or the different cities with huge outdoor crowds.

The draft were held in a mid-Manhattan hotel; every ya a different one.

My first in 1974 was extra special. The Boys held the first pick in the first and 3rd rounds due to a great trade -- some call it highway robbery -- of DE Tody Smith (Bubba's younger brother) and WR Billy Parks to the Oilers. A larger than life 6'9" and athletic DE from Tennessee State loomed as the Cowboys 1st pick and overall NFL #1 pick. They called him Ed Too Tall Jones. He would pair with 2nd year Harvey Martin to form the greatest pair of defensive end duos in Cowboy history. Too Tall never missed an NFL game to injury in his lengthy NFL career, and had the widest wingspan of any NFL player in history, proving he came from another planet!!

All the NFL great broadcasters and sportswriters were there, Pat Summerall, Madden, Brent Musberger, Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford and more, along with NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. I sat about 20 rows from the front, but when lunchtime came, huge numbers of folks left for lunch and I found myself in the front row, right in the middle.

At around 1:30, Pete Rozelle and camermen came to my direction. I did not know why. Rozelle grabbed a chair and sat in front of me and the camermen set up as if I would be interviewed! I pinched myself to make sure I was not dreaming. "Hello, welcome to the NFL draft. I am Pete Rozelle, what is your name, " and I responded "Alex." He then asked me who was my favorite team and I responded: "I am a die hard Dallas Cowboys fan." Rozelle then asked how I liked the draft so far and answered: "This is like a fantasy to be here, I am so excited and happy to see the Cowboys pick a future dominating superstar in Too Tall Jones."

Later with their 2nd 1st round pick, the boys selected RB Charles Young, whose career was short due to injuries, but he was the RB protecting Roger Staubach on the historic "Hail Mary" epic drive and miraculous TD in the 1975 playoffs. The Boys had no 2nd round pick, but with their 1st pick of the third round selected Arizona State QB Danny White, 6'2" 175 pounds (not typo), who ended up playing two years in the WFL before reporting as Roger's backup in 1976 as a 182 lb QB.

On the local news that night on TV, they showed the crowds at the NFL draft and I saw myself on TV!! What a day, what a great Cowboys' experience!
 
I sorta think it would be anticlimactic. First round is the only round that gets big reactions. I’m sure concessions are stupid expensive just like at games. Waiting in lines for security must be terrible. Hard pass.
 
I sorta think it would be anticlimactic. First round is the only round that gets big reactions. I’m sure concessions are stupid expensive just like at games. Waiting in lines for security must be terrible. Hard pass.
Would not be any different than go to a concert or Disney. Long lines, high prices.
 
I sorta think it would be anticlimactic. First round is the only round that gets big reactions. I’m sure concessions are stupid expensive just like at games. Waiting in lines for security must be terrible. Hard pass.
I’ve been to 3.

The best is Day 3. Plenty of walking space, events and everything is a bit more affordable and less crowded.

I did the Tennessee draft in 2019. You couldn’t even walk / move on day one. Absolutely nuts
 
Clearly a personal preference. The draft seems to have more attendees every year so I’m probably in the minority.
Oh I perfectly understand. I tend to not wanting to go to overcrowded overpriced venues anymore.
But if the draft were to come back to DFW area, I would consider going.
My issue is if it is outside, I would not go for an extended period of time.
 
My buddy left Houston on Friday, to deliver the stages and production equipment for the Draft. He's been doing this for the past 10 years or so. Sometimes he sticks around but most of the time he flies home and goes back after the draft to bring the equipment back.
 
That's a great story thanks for sharing. Things are always at their best IMO when they are still getting off the ground and not super popular yet. I bet that was a cool experience.
 

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