The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
It should be an Experience
Thousands expected to attend fan events
The actual NFL Draft is only part of the attraction that will make Cleveland the center of the football world beginning April 29 to May 1.
Numerous festivities in and around FirstEnergy Stadium are planned for fans attending one of nine sessions. Each day of the NFL Draft Experience is divided into three specific time blocks.
Participating in the NFL Draft Experience is free, but anyone attending must have a ticket obtained through the NFL OnePass app at NFL.com. Some of the activities include the following:
• Fans can have their picture taken with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
• They can get inside FirstEnergy Stadium to attempt a field goal.
• They will be timed in a 40-yard dash, just as NFL draft prospects are, and have the opportunity to have their vertical jump measured against the vertical jump of NFL players on LED screens and throw Hail Mary passes.
• A football clinic zone for all people and a Play60 Zone for youngsters is set up inside the stadium.
The possibility of rain is in the forecast. Unless the weather turns extreme, all events will proceed as planned. Tickets can be used only for the designated session.
• Visitors to the Draft Experience will have an opportunity to collect additional virtual autographs during Draft week by downloading the NFL OnePass app and entering the virtual queue to have an autograph card signed by a player or Legend, including personalization. The virtual autograph stage will have a limited capacity and will run daily all three days of the Draft.
• Browns players and Legends will be on-site for Chalk Talks hosted by NFL Network’s Kimmi Chex.
Ticket holders to the NFL Draft Experience will not be permitted inside the actual draft theater — that is by invitation only. Fans at the NFL Draft Experience activities can follow each selection in the draft on televisions set up throughout the area around and inside FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Panini is sponsoring two related activities. NFL Draft photo frames will be available in one booth. Fans can get their own digital trading cards plus official NFL trading cards in another booth.
• Oakley has set up an interactive O-Lab so fans can test products and vision technologies.
The NFL expects about 50,000 fans per day, which breaks down to about 17,000 per session. Officials stress all safety protocols must be followed. Fans must wear a mask at all times except when actively eating or drinking in areas designated for the purpose.
Visitors will be required to practice social distancing of six feet for games, restrooms, concessions and other activities. Families and groups of friends can be together, but they must stay socially distant from other groups.
The Grammy Award winning band Kings of Leon will open draft festivities at the NFL Draft Theater on April 29.
The band Black Pumas will be on stage April 30. Machine Gun Kelly will perform on May 1 after the final pick is made.
Following are the times each of the nine sessions for the NFL Draft Experience:
• April 29 — Session 1: noon to 4 p.m; Session 2: 4 to 7 p.m; Session 3: 7 to 10 p.m., or the send of the first round.
The times for April 30 are the same as April 29 and also designated Sessions 1, 2 and 3 — not four, five and six. The last session ends at 10 p.m. or the end of the third round.
• May 1 — Session 1: 9 a.m. to noon; Session 2: noon to 3 p.m; Session 3: 3 to 6 p.m. or until the final pick in the seventh round.