The first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night had all sorts of fireworks, with big trades, surprising picks, and one big-name QB still wondering when he will finally hear his name get called.
If you watched any of the coverage then you might have noticed something that many other fans picked up on—the walk from the backstage area to the podium where Roger Goodell waits for each prospect seems like a very long journey.
The setup for the draft has the backstage area inside the historic Union Station, which was built in 1914. The players then make their way through some doors, up some steps, and then finish the long stroll over to Goodell.
Here’s a look at it:
The walk to the #NFLDraft stage in Kansas City is one-of-a-kind.
— NFL (@NFL) April 27, 2023
📺: 2023 #NFLDraft -- 8pm ET on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/pu0CG1Mwjv
That might not look too wild but the video was sped up and didn’t show every little step, including the mirror station where the players put on their new hats.
Fans were annoyed by it:
How long is that walk to the stage? #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/KfzJwnLnAa
— Cole Wright (@ColeWright) April 28, 2023
Whose idea was it to make everyone walk a 5K to get to the stage at the #NFLDraft
— Kevin McCaffrey (@KevinMcCaff) April 28, 2023
why are they making the players at the NFL draft walk a 5K from their table to the stage
— Dijana Kunovac (@dijana_kunovac) April 28, 2023
NFL always making the players who just got drafted walk a mile to get to the stage #NFLDraft
— Eric (@EricGebhardt06) April 28, 2023
pic.twitter.com/khyvmJOGHD
Do the players have a walk a mile to get to the stage? #NFLDraft
— Jortney (@Wildcatty11) April 28, 2023
That’s a long walk to the stage #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/6LJoRzQboF
— Jarrel (@_JarrelHarris) April 28, 2023
Is it just me or is the NFL draft walk from the greenroom to the stage is the longest walk ever.
— King Cool (@SPdaCoolKid) April 28, 2023
Can someone explain to me why each draft pick has to walk 5 miles after being picked? #NFLDraft
— Tyler Jeski (@producerTJeski) April 28, 2023
This walk from the green room to the podium looks hella long #NFLDraft2023 #NFLDraft
— Dale McLean (@UptownDale) April 28, 2023
