Football Nation Descends on Detroit
By George B. Eichorn
It’s not often that Detroit rolls out a red carpet to welcome an estimated 300,000 visitors and pro football fans in their team colors!
In downtown Detroit the two annual events which attract huge crowds are the Ford Fireworks and the Gardner White America’s Thanksgiving Parade. Now you can add the NFL Draft 2024 to the list.
But as far as sports goes no event in recent memory drew as many guests as will the 2024 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light, April 25-27, in the downtown area from Campus Martius Park to Hart Plaza and from the heart of downtown to the beautiful Detroit River. This is the NFL’s ultimate fan festival. Detroit has been “on the clock” ever since NFL commissioner Roger Goodell awarded the city this impressive annual event.
The league has taken its draft extravaganza from its previous home in New York City to NFL cities in Chicago, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Dallas and now the Motor City. Next year’s draft is awarded to Green Bay. Entry to the Draft Experience presented by Rocket Mortgage is free yet fans must register for free entry by downloading the NFL OnePass app at NFL.com/DraftAccess. All adults are required to register but can also register up to five children. For fans without a smartphone, registration on site via the Fan Services staff is also permitted.
Gates open at noon on Thursday and Friday downtown and 9 a.m. Saturday. Parking and traffic will be very difficult downtown. Extra hours have been added by the city for the Q-Line and People Mover.
The draft will bring together at least 13 top college prospects with a Red Carpet arrival April 25, 4:30 p.m. at the Fox Theatre. A throng of media from the United States and around the world will grace the Motor City. There will be a radio row for live podcasts and reports and, of course, live draft telecasts on ABC’s WXYZ-TV channel 7, ESPN and the NFL Network.
The scheduled top round 1 draft order has Chicago, Washington, New England, Arizona, L.A. Chargers, NY Giants and Tennessee. The Lions first round selections is the 29th overall. The first pick is expected to be made Thursday after 8 p.m. Day 1 features round one only; Day 2 has rounds 2 – 3 and Day 3 has rounds 4 – 7. With four or five quarterbacks expected to be selected in the number one through seven selections – including former University of Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy – this draft carries even greater significance than most.
Fans can enter a drawing with a grand prize trip for two to Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans next October. The Detroit Lions are one of the favored teams to be in the hunt for the next Super Bowl.
There are so many activities including a Taste of Detroit featuring food booths from area restaurants, current NFL players and legends at a special Autograph Stage, musical entertainment by local and national talent, NFL Flag skills and drills and football clinics, photos with the prized Vince Lombardi Trophy, and exclusive merchandise at the NFL Shop presented by Visa. Corner Ballpark at Michigan and Trumbull hosts youth-focused activities and Hart Plaza hosts all Draft Experience events.
Ford Field hosts a ticketed event for Lions season ticket holders and Comerica Park will feature several Tigers/Blue Jays games during draft weekend.
The family of former Detroit Lions running back Mel Farr “Superstar” is raising funds and awareness for youth in Detroit with Event 24 Charity Gala that includes fashions, food, drinks and comedy, Wednesday, April 24th at One Mike, 1231 Broadway Street. Visit https://rb/\.gy/kimbk2
Other draft related events:
Invisalign NFL Draft Photo Frames
Take a picture in one of the jumbo photo frames.
Draft Stage
Visit a replica of the official NFL Draft Stage and take your spot behind the podium as a #1 Draft pick!
NFL Locker Room
Visit a replica NFL locker room as it appears on gameday. Experience the sights of a real NFL pregame inside our video tunnel!
Also visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame curated exhibit to include:
o Hall of Fame Bronze Busts :
o Lem Barney
o Joe DeLamielleure
o Calvin Johnson
o Alex Karras
o Barry Sanders
o Charles Woodson
o Jerome Bettis
o George S. Halas NFC Championship Trophy
o Lamar Hunt AFC Championship Trophy
o Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide
o Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
Pepsi Team Helmets
Fans can take their picture with an oversized replica of all 32 NFL team helmets, presented by Pepsi
Super Bowl Rings
See all 57 Super Bowl rings up close and take a unique digital photo with your favorite ring on your finger.
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.
