By George Eichorn
There ain’t nothing like a Detroit party!
An all-time NFL Draft record of 775,000 football fans jammed downtown Detroit from April 25 to 27 as all 32 teams selected players in seven rounds of the annual league draft.
The city, state and league officials worked countless hours putting on the biggest show this city has seen in a long while. Detroit came away with flying colors as the NFL, players, fans and casual observers had to be impressed with the draft planning and execution.
Personally, I think the large crowds were due in part to the 2023 success of the Detroit Lions. They won their Division and won two playoff games and earned a spot in the NFC Championship game last January only to lose to San Francisco. The 2024 Lions appear ready to contend for a Super Bowl berth next February in New Orleans.
Fans starved for a celebration and they got one! Honolulu blue and silver team colors plus the new black jerseys were everywhere.
There has not been a Lions victory parade since 1957 – before the Super Bowl even existed. The team has a pent-up demand for tickets as Ford Field is sold out game after game. So many fans were shut out during last season’s march to the Lions first NFC title game appearance since the 1991 season.
With so many questionable calls by NFL on-field officials in games the Lions played there’s a vindication these faithful got. This was a “take that NFL” for the Lions faithful!
The NFL was smart to award Detroit the draft. It had already been staged successfully in Chicago, Nashville, Kansas City, Las Vegas and other cities but now it was coming to one of its oldest franchises in Detroit. We were a smashing success!
The setting was unique – in the heart of a vibrant downtown – and the crowds helped generate millions in revenue for local hotels, restaurants, bars and shopping. Detroit is back and the world now knows it to be true!
I enjoyed the various ways the draft featured Detroit and Michigan. Eminem and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell helped kick off opening night. Next came Lion stars Jared Goff, Aidan Hutchinson and Aman-Ra St. Brown and following them was Calvin Johnson and Barry Sanders.
Detroit-area bands and choirs performed throughout the three days. And music by Eminem, the group Kiss, Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell and other artists were featured between rounds and selections. The mayor and governor had turns to speak. Community leaders and service men and women from Michigan were featured.
Streets were clean and safety was the rule as Detroit Police Chief James White plus state and league security deserve kudos for handling the massive crowds.
As for the draft itself, the Lions did well in taking two college secondary stars in Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold (round 1, pick 24 overall) and Missouri corner Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (round 2, pick 61).
Other Detroit picks:
- Round 4, pick 126 overall: Giovanni Manu, offensive tackle, University of British Columbia
- Round 4, pick 132 overall: Sione Vaki, running back, Utah
- Round 6, pick 189 overall: Mekhi Wingo, defensive tackle, LSU
- Round 6, pick 210 overall: Christian Mahogany, guard, Boston College.
Scott Morganroth and Candy Ebling led the South Florida Tribune coverage team. Motor City Tribune colleague Jeremy T. Ballreich has full coverage and commentary on the draft in his informative articles.
Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com or @Sandgsports99 on X (formerly Twitter).
Detroit’s Sports Broadcasters: On the Air: Eichorn, George B, Introduction Harwell, Ernie.
