No Basement Blues: Goodell On Hand For Draft In Cleveland
Mar 22, 2021, 11:23 AM
In this still image from video provided by the NFL, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks from his home in Bronxville, New York during the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft on April 23, 2020. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images)
(Photo by NFL via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will be leaving his man cave to announce this year’s rookie draft class within shouting distance of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The league announced some its plans for this year’s three-day event in Cleveland, which will include some of the prospects being in person after last year’s draft in Las Vegas was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some of Cleveland’s iconic downtown locations, including the Rock Hall, FirstEnergy Stadium and the Great Lakes Science Center, will be incorporated into the three-day festivities from April 29-May 1. Most of the events are outdoors.
See you soon, Cleveland.
2021 #NFLDraft | April 29 – May 1 pic.twitter.com/YylRI1TE6t
— NFL (@NFL) March 22, 2021
Goodell will be on hand to welcome the league’s newest players — but from a short distance. Building on the success of last year’s virtual event, when the commissioner read players’ names from the basement of his home, other draft picks will participate remotely from around the country.
The league said the three-day event will be open to the public, and protocols from the experiences of hosting the Super Bowl in Tampa will be in place.
The league will again partner with state and local public health officials to ensure the safety for fans and participants. Fans will be required to wear face coverings and adhere to physical distancing.
The NFL officially announces that the 86th NFL Draft (April 29-May 1) will in fact take place in downtown Cleveland – around FirstEnergy Stadium, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Great Lakes Science Center pic.twitter.com/JAXgaOr5GJ
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) March 22, 2021
A main stage will be built along Lake Erie to serve as the central hub for draft activities, including unnamed musical acts
“We are thrilled to be heading to Cleveland for the NFL draft, which has become one of the most highly anticipated events in sports” NFL executive Peter O’Reilly said.
The NFL will also use this year’s draft to promote the COVID-19 vaccine.
This year’s draft coincides with the the Cleveland Browns’ 75th anniversary.
