Tackling New Realities Through the NFL Draft

 In this Feb. 3, 2020 file photo NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a news conference in Miami. The NFL has set protocols for reopening team facilities and has told the 32 teams to have them in place by May 15. In a memo sent by Goodell and obtained Wednesday, May 6, 2020 by The Associated Press, several phases of the protocols were laid out. The first phase would involve a limited number of non-player personnel, initially 50 percent of the non-player employees (up to a total of 75) on any single day, being approved to be at the facility. But state or local regulations could require a lower number (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson).

Students have stepped up and helped our community organize. During the NFL Draft week, avid fans from the upper school community took part in a mock draft competition, and some discussed the draft live on a Google Meet call. 

“I thought organizing a NFL Draft event would be a good way for members of the community to come together,” Joe F. ’22 said. “Even during these tough times, we were able to stay connected during the draft because it was important to a lot of us.”

In normal times, the NFL Draft would be held in cities ranging from New York to Nashville in large event spaces to accommodate the tens of thousands of fans. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft was held in the basement of Commissioner Roger Goodell’s home. Yet Eric S. ’23 found the experience to be very similar.

“I honestly thought it was the same experience,” Eric said. “I thought the virtual draft was good, but it was not better than the real life event. However, it was not a bad experience.”

Austin S. ’20 was elated about his favorite team’s performance in the draft but still enjoyed the experience.

“I liked the virtual draft a lot,” Austin said. “I think it really brought the focus back onto the players and the teams without all the flashiness of the show.”

In addition to the new location of the pick selections, head coaches and general managers were filmed with their families, which was a favorite for many watching.

“I thought it was great to see coaches and general managers with their loved ones around them,” said Kabir K. ’22. “It was inspiring to see young athletes making their dreams come true. It was a great experience to spend the first round watching the draft with several of my peers.”

In years past when the draft would be approaching, students could be heard in the hallways speculating who their favorite team would pick. This year, the student council organized a mock draft on Google Sheets.

“I found the mock draft competition to be fun,” Evan T. ’21 said. “I am not the biggest NFL fan, but being able to have a mini competition with my peers and teachers made watching the draft interesting.”