Hours Before NFL Draft, Fans Show Up To Detroit Location In DROVES

The downside of hosting the NFL Draft in Detroit is that … the NFL Draft is held in Detroit. The positive side is that, with not much else to do, people are showing up in massive numbers to view the event in person.

After holding the Draft in New York City for many years, the NFL decided to spread the love and allow cities to vie for hosting duties similarly to the Super Bowl. The difference between the Draft and the Super Bowl is that many more cities are in play because weather is not as big of a factor. 

Take, for example, the league holding the NFL Draft in Cleveland, Ohio in 2021. It was rainy and cold, but fans still showed up in big numbers. Why? Because it was something to do in Cleveland. 

Lest you think I'm an American city snob, I'm not. I'm just being realistic. I grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, which is quite close to Cleveland. I've been to Cleveland many, many times. There are better cities in the United States. Even people from Cleveland agree with that. Same with Detroit. Definitely the same with Erie. 

Fans started showing up to the NFL Draft in Detroit nearly eight hours before the event began. 

(Kathy Kieliszewski / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Anyway, I'm starting to come around on the NFL allowing more cities an opportunity to host a marquee event for the league. It might not be the best for the NFL Draft prospects – who'd surely rather get a free trip to Las Vegas, Miami, or New York City – but it's really incredible for fans. 

Check out the scenes in Detroit HOURS before the start of the Draft. 

Even a hater like me can appreciate people coming together in a historic American city to enjoy some NFL in April. Keep 'em coming.