As a life long Detroit Lions fan, I’ve been a dedicated follower of the NFL draft. Beginning in1980, ESPN reached an agreement with the NFL to televise it. In those days, a few national sports publications would dedicate a weekly or monthly story with mock drafts and player evaluations for the relatively few draft nerds like me.
On draft day I had them all in front of me, spread across my floor, crossing names off the list as prospects were chosen and not-so-patiently waiting for the Lions turn, hoping that they would choose my desired selection.