The Roots' Black Thought to open NFL Draft telecast

NFL Network Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter of the Roots. When the NFL Network's TV coverage of the live-from-the-Ben Franklin Parkway NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday night, it will come complete with a filmed intro to Philadelphia narrated by rapper Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter of the Roots.

The currently-bearded rapper speaks of the city's grit and working class character in the 75 second spot filmed in Jersey City earlier this week, which the network will be opening its coverage with all three nights of the telecast, and pushing out on their social media channel to hype their coverage.

"We'll get our hardcore audience for this," said Michael Mandt, executive producer of orignal content for…