Fans can virtually boo Roger Goodell during 2020 NFL Draft
One of the greatest traditions of every NFL Draft will continue during the era of social distancing.
Ahead of what became a virtual draft because of the coronavirus pandemic, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell spoke with Peter King of Pro Football Talk about the fact that fans won't be able to boo him in-person since he and team executives will be inside of their homes throughout the player-selection process.
"I guess you’re going to have to show up and watch,” Goodell said when I asked how he was going to replicate the cacophonous boos he gets at every draft venue. “But I will say this: It’s a big part of the draft. I personally love the engagement with our fans. That [booing] is included. For us, we had to think through, ‘How are we going to bring the fans into the event? How are we going to allow the boo to be a part of the event as it has been in the past?’"
Later that same day, Bud Light, beer sponsor of the NFL, announced it's requesting fans to submit videos of them booing Goodell ahead of the draft. Depending on how many videos Bud Light receives, the company will donate up to $500,000 to the NFL Draft-a-Thon that is supporting charities helping individuals affected by the virus outbreak.
Fans booing Goodell at drafts that have been hosted in New York City has become as much a custom as college players accepting team caps and jerseys on stages. Goodell has even been jeered while handing out the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Super Bowl winners:
This year's draft was originally scheduled to take place in Las Vegas.
Earlier this month, King reported a virtual montage of 15 fans who react to picks announced by Goodell will be featured on draft broadcasts. They, as well as football followers from around the world, now have extra incentive to boo whenever the commish is in front of the camera.
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