The City of Brotherly Love and the NFL Draft: A Match Made in... 1936?
Ah, Philadelphia. Cheesesteaks, Rocky montages, and... the NFL Draft? That's right, football fans! The City of Brotherly Love has a long and storied history with the annual player selection meeting, dating all the way back to the draft's very beginnings.
What Year Did Philadelphia Host The Nfl Draft |
From Hotel Rooms to Rocky Steps: Philly's Draft Evolution
Believe it or not, the very first NFL Draft in 1936 took place in a Philadelphia hotel room – the Ritz-Carlton, to be exact. Back then, the draft was a far cry from the three-day extravaganza we know today. Imagine: no fancy suits, no analysts dissecting every pick, just a bunch of suits in a room picking names off a blackboard (seriously, a blackboard!).
Philly continued to host the draft throughout the 40s and 50s, even venturing outside the confines of hotel conference rooms for a bit. Fast forward to 2017, and the draft made a triumphant return to the City of Brotherly Love. This time, though, it was a whole new ball game (pun intended). The draft took place outdoors, with the iconic Rocky Steps serving as a backdrop. It was a massive success, with fans flocking to the city to witness the drama unfold.
So, the big question: what year did Philadelphia last host the NFL Draft?
Tip: A slow, careful read can save re-reading later.
Drumroll please...
2017!
They brought the draft back to its birthplace and turned it into a full-blown Philly cheesesteak of an event (greasy, messy, and undeniably delicious... okay, maybe not that last part).
Tip: Read once for flow, once for detail.
Fun Fact: Did You Know?
The 2017 draft was the first ever to be held entirely outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions (Philly Draft Edition)
How to relive the glory of the 2017 Philly Draft?
There are tons of highlight reels online, but nothing beats watching the fans erupt when the Eagles traded up to snag quarterback Carson Wentz.
QuickTip: A careful read saves time later.
How to convince the NFL to bring the draft back to Philly?
Start a petition, write heartfelt letters to Roger Goodell (with cheesesteak coupons attached, obviously), and maybe even train a Rocky impersonator to do push-ups outside his office.
How to prepare for the draft if it ever returns to Philadelphia?
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
Practice your "E-A-G-L-E-S!" chants, brush up on your knowledge of local cheesesteak joints (research is crucial!), and maybe invest in some weatherproof clothing (Philly weather can be a real wildcard).
How to impress your friends with your newfound knowledge of Philly draft history?
Casually drop the fact that the very first NFL Draft ever took place in a Philadelphia hotel room. Bonus points if you can mimic the sound of a quill pen scratching across parchment paper.
How to celebrate a successful draft pick (Eagles or otherwise)?
There's only one answer: cheesesteaks for everyone!