The Definitive In Person Detroit Draft Log
The 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit was historic in many ways. A record 23 offensive players shattered the previous record of 19. Sticking with the offensive theme a record six quarterbacks were taken earlier than they ever. Most impressively a record 275,000 people showed up to watch Day 1 of the draft in downtown Detroit.
Of those record attendees was your fearless blogger in chief. That’s right, after years of legal pads and mock drafts. I decided to join in the huddled masses in NFL fandom. As you will see below. Not my preferred way to consume an event that is designed for obsessive pick by pick analysis. So I’ll avoid that and just give you boots on the ground observations. The things that did not come through the telecast.
Arrival and Atmosphere
I have been fortunate enough to attend both the Final Four and Super Bowl in Detroit. Accordingly I’m not surprised when Detroit shows up and puts on a good show. It gets an unfair reputation nationally. Hopefully that is starting to change. Ease is the word that comes to mind for major events in the city.
Easy to get to. Easy and surprisingly affordable parking. Followed by a short manageable walk to the NFL Draft Theater. I was early and it honestly didn’t feel too crowed at that point (yet) As the above the picture shows, I was able to get pretty close to the draft theater. The rapper Big Sean played a short set that was enjoyable— I’m old, so that’s all I have on that. The atmosphere was electric and brimming with anticipation. So I decided to explore and cross some things off this list before the picks commenced.
Celebrity Sightings
I beelined it to the College Game Day set. As an avid sports fan I had seen most these guys before. However the new kid on the block was where my interest lied. Nick Saban was back in Michigan. A chance to see the GOAT away from his natural habitat on the sidelines. To quote the missing Lee Corso “not so fast my friend.”
Why? Too many people? An inaccessible set? Nope, I was able to walk right up to it. There was no screen up. You were close enough to hear the crew talk on air. So why no Saban? Here was there all right. But the entire city of Detroit only got one thing from Saban all weekend. The back of his big old head.
You’ve heard stories of his legendary focus and intensity. Here is was in all its splendor. Ohio St villains Kirk Herbstreit and Joey Galloway played to the crowd (not wise) Desmond Howard was the home team. Lincoln Riley looked like a young production intern. They even ate a sandwich on the set (not Saban though) Through it all, Saban didn’t move. Just looked straight into the camera. A stage hand came around to adjust his chair. That was the only time I saw his face. If looks could kill…. Nick Saban was there to conduct the best draft broadcast in history and nothing was going to stop him. Not even this guy…
I attended Grand Valley St in the early 2000’s. So that’s my football coach. However not Detroit’s. Brian Kelly sauntered onto the stage like a cross between Vince McMahon and Connor MacGregor. Cascaded with crescendo of boos and epithets I could never reprint here and…..loved every second of it. Kelly knew his role and was ready to play the heel. Nick Saban didn’t even move.
With Saban’s performance or lack thereof, I did not have high expectations for my next stop. A few hundred yards away Felix and Oscar were getting ready to host a draft show. If you get that reference you know what is coming next. Pat McAfee and Bill Belichick were hosting the first round on YouTube.
Whatever you think of McAfee, one thing was obvious in Detroit. The man is star who oozes charisma. I watched him turn the simple act of signing footballs into a one man show. He was dressed head to toe in denim and belt buckle that was bigger than my head. Accordingly next to McAfee and after Saban. I waited with bated breath for Mr. Charisma to appear.
Then to my surprise, out from the film watching cave he emerged. I squinted a few times. Made sure there was nothing in my eyes. The greatest grouch in sports history was not only smiling. He was glowing. He was happy to to be there.
The man who spent his career cutting the sleeves off of grubby hoodies was resplendently dressed. A pin striped suit with pink— that’s right PINK tie. He even had a matching pocket square. I want to know the last time Bill Belichick wore a pocket square? This gig with McAfee, also featuring a guy with tux and a huge cowboy hat on, and a fake Mel Kiper. This is the what you choose to dress up for? That man is either loving retirement or REALLY wants another job. I would lean towards the latter, but a pleasant surprise nonetheless.
The Actual Picks
I headed back up to the stage and settled in. The house band, Collision 6 kept the crowd entertained with an eclectic mix of pop of Motown favorites. Everything was going pretty smooth until they announced a special guest. Claiming Detroit is the capital of Rock N Roll (not sure about that) The emcees let the anticipation build. Younger people screamed for Jack White. Everyone held their breath to see if the controversy adverse NFL would announce Kid Rock. Then out came….Bob Seeger.
Listen, in a previous life I was a very semi professional musician in the state of Michigan. I have played my fair share of Bob Seeger tunes. I have “Turned the Page” in plenty of late night sets. Not once did I ever think “gee I wonder what Bob Seeger thinks about the Detroit Lions?”
For some reason the NFL did. It went about as expected. Seeger said they were young. He also said it been a long time since the Lions were good. Wise words Bob, wise words indeed. That was about it. After the conclusion of “Deep Thoughts with Bob Seeger” it was onto the draft.
I said I would stick to what you couldn’t see on TV. That being said. The intro was electric live. Yes, Detroit loves Eminem. They love the current trio of Lions players. Calvin Johnson was showered with praise as well. But this is and hopefully will always be Barry Sanders’ town.
Hearing that response and the chants of “BARRY” was stirring. Not sure how it sounded on TV. Live, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen an athlete engender such response. I saw Ben Wallace hold a championship trophy in a victory ceremony. I saw Michigan St win a Final Four game in a sold out Ford Field. That paled in comparison to over 100,000 fans saluting Sanders.
On the other end….
Caleb Williams
Not casting any aspersions here. With their recent history, Detroit knows how to boo. The cheers quickly into some of the loudest and venomous boos when Caleb Williams was selected. Yes, it’s partly because it’s Chicago’s pick. It’s also probably more to do with Williams’ personality and image. My phone recorded this verbatim exchange from two fans standing next me.
Fan#1: I don’t know what it is. I just don’t like the guy
Fan #2: Yeah, I hear that
Fan #1: It’s those West Coast quarterbacks. They just don’t work in the NFC North
Fan #2: Aaron Rodgers came from the West Coast
Fan #1: That doesn’t count man (awkward silence)
Fan #2: You know Jared Goff is a West Coast guy….
Fan #1: Shut up man, I just don’t like the guy!
I got bad news for this duo. Caleb Williams is a dude. I’m sure he knew he was going to get booed. But in the words of the great Mike Tyson “everyone has plan until they get punched in the mouth” Hearing 100,000 people rain down boos, vulgarity, and and an assortment of obscene gestures on a 22 year old kid. I felt kind of bad for him. It was loud, fierce, and visceral.
The broadcast might have muted it. But they couldn’t censor Williams’ reaction. He was here for it. He seemed to feed and get energy of it. He is not going to be intimidated by Chicago or any opposing fanbase. What I saw was killer who will be ready for the moment.
The Penix Pick
I’ve been to Michigan Stadium. I’ve heard 100,000 people cheer. I’ve heard 100,000 people boo. I’ve never heard 100,000 people audibly gasp. That is what happened after the Falcons picked Michael Penix. However I witnessed another interesting cultural phenomenon resulting from this.
Everyone gasped. However there was certain group most affected by the selection. Call it the Netflix effect. I witnessed multiple wives/girlfriends asking their partners something along the lines of “how could they do this to Kirk Cousins?”
It might not be politically correct, but I speak from experience. I live with my executive editor. After twenty years, she now knows what it means to throw short of the sticks. She now has a basic knowledge of what it means to pick up the blitz. She also called me to ask that same question many were asking after the pick. I heard it everywhere “how could they do this to Kirk Cousins?” Man a lot people watched that documentary.
Exiting
I was coming back the next day with my son. So I decided to knock off early. Up until this point I was able to get wherever I wanted. Upon leaving, what overwhelming mass of humanity I had to wade through. Detroit more than earned their attendance record.
On my way out I came across this “statue” erected for the weekend.
Do you know you want to know how Adam Shefter’s weekend in Detroit went? This was it. Every single time I saw him. This was the pose. They had him off from the side stage by himself on a podium the size of a kitchen table. Just him, a camera, and a production assistant. After the night I’m convinced they just wheeled him off to his room like the Pope or a pharaoh. Just so he wouldn’t miss one possible scoop on his phone. The life of insider might not be as glamorous as it seems.
Conclusion
So what is the live NFL Draft experience? If you are hardcore football guy. This is not for you. I didn’t realize the Vikings had even traded up to get JJ McCarthy. You certainly miss a lot. They don’t play any highlights or analysis on site.
If you are casual fan who likes to have a good time. This is the place to be. It is gigantic festival of football. A cross between Disney World and Oktoberfest. Long lines, a lot of walking, and a lot of alcohol. However very safe, entertaining, and also anesthetised. The gigantic stage and entertainment were first class. I don’t think I witnessed a single production snafu all weekend.
That being said. I didn’t see everything I wanted to see. I’m convinced Mel Kiper Jr might be an AI generated hologram. The lines were too long to meet any players/legends that were on hand for the weekend. For better or worse, I also didn’t run into any of the tailgate adjacent craziness associated with football games. Just good old salt of the earth Detroit football fans.
Then as I walked to my hotel room and went to get on the elevator— I saw it. A real life creature of the Black Hole. Maybe it had been blinged out a bit by the Vegas strip. But nevertheless a real life Raider fan in the wild is a sight to behold.
This over the top commitment to the bit is what draft is all about. It’s an event where everyone leaves happy, inebriated, or both (except Kirk Cousins) The very first article I wrote for this site was recounting a trip to Lambeau Field. I have no idea how the tiny hamlet of Green Bay is going to pull this monstrosity off next year.
I could see a Brett Farve and Aaron Rodgers reunion? The christening of Jordan Love into this club? Jimmy Sturr and the Polka All Stars rolling in the barrels as the house band. I’m sure it will be good and just maybe I will be there once again. But hats off to Detroit. That was atmosphere and party that will hard to top.
