DRAFT TOWN, USA
Published in AXS, May 2015
Thousands of football fans supporting teams from around the country celebrated the opening rounds of the NFL draft in downtown Chicago on Thursday, April 30.
Official proceedings took place in a futuristic, dome-shaped structure temporarily erected for the event on Michigan Avenue. A capacity crowd of VIP’s and people wise enough to complete an online registration process filled several rows of seats to watch the event live.
Colorful lights and a gigantic monitor displaying statistics, interviews and college highlights of the athletes hoping to join the pro ranks lit up the stage. Coaches and representatives raced against a clock to make selections in a suspenseful round-by-round program that began at 7 p.m. and continued as night fell.
At the same time, the energy outside the arena rose to a whole ‘nother level of intensity as thousands of fans enjoyed the excitement in the streets of “Draft Town,” a makeshift village of professional football activities, attractions and bars that filled the avenues and gardens of Grant Park to the east.
A row of customized tents bearing specific team colors and logos lined several blocks of Columbus Avenue, each one showcasing the action from the main event on individual digital screens linked directly to the auditorium.
Besides a legion of Chicago fans showing support for the Bears, people from as far away as San Diego and New York came to show their hometown grid iron dedication. They were joined by several official team mascots and cheerleaders on-hand for the event, including Who Dey from Cincinnati and The First Ladies of Football from Washington, D.C.
Fans inside the Cleveland Browns’ tent endured some of the greatest anxiety of the night as they waited for their team to make its first round pick, the 12th overall selection of the draft. Their somber focus was transformed into an enthusiastic outburst of applause when the organization announced its commitment to sign University of Washington defensive lineman Danny Shelton.
“This is just what the Browns need,” exclaimed a happy fan who had traveled all the way from Youngstown to Draft Town to enjoy the festivities.
Photos by Dan Patton