DETROIT (WWJ) — The national spotlight is shining bright on Detroit as hundreds of thousands of football fans descended on the city Thursday to take in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Fans have come from all over to see who their favorite teams will pick in the draft, some from as far away as Los Angeles, New York, and even abroad.
The vast majority of people downtown Thursday afternoon were unsurprisingly wearing Honolulu Blue and silver, showing off their Detroit Lions pride. But you could find just about any team in the league well-represented — especially the Chicago Bears.
Many fans made the roughly five-hour drive from Chicago to Detroit, including a trio of guys donning projected No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams USC shirts in anticipation of his selection to the Bears.
While they had made the trek to Detroit for a Tigers-White Sox game about 15 years ago, they hadn’t been back since. And what surprised them the most? The city’s “cleanliness.”
“From then to now, the city is like way, way, way more… it’s immaculate compared to the way it was in 2009. It’s come a long way,” said Joe, noting the city has a “great vibe” and is comparable to parts of Downtown Chicago.
Though the festivities had just gotten underway by mid afternoon Thursday, Joe said Detroit’s NFL Draft (experience) is already “a lot better” than what Chicago put on in 2015 and 2016, especially because it’s spread out throughout the downtown area, as opposed to being contained to Grant Park in Chicago.
“This is a great setup. Couldn’t ask for a better experience,” Joe said.
MORE: Where visiting fans should eat and drink during the NFL Draft in Detroit
A pair of Chargers fans made the trek all the way from Los Angeles, getting into Detroit and checking out some of the local attractions, including an NFL event at the Renaissance Center and dinner at The Brakeman.
“What I would say about my trip so far is the people are just so friendly and nice,” said Victor Abbene, a Chargers season ticket holder at SoFi Stadium.
Cole Abbene, meanwhile, say he's been impressed with how easy it is to get around Downtown Detroit.
"First off, the transportation is wonderful. The People Pusher (sic) is great. You can go from the hotel to the bars to get around easily. It would be better than the draft being in LA, because the buses over there just don't work as smoothly as Detroit," he said.
To be fair, while the Detroit People Mover gets its fair share of flak from locals, it has been great for fans and media getting around Downtown with many streets closed off.
Both Abbenes are certainly excited to see what the Chargers do with the fifth overall pick, but they’re also looking forward to seeing what else the city has to offer, including checking out Friday afternoon’s Tigers game at Comerica Park.
Gregg Wilson, the Dallas Cowboys superfan known as “Wreckin’ Ball,” has also been impressed with the friendliness he’s been greeted with in Detroit. Not just from Lions fans, but all fans in general — especially other so-called superfans.
“There’s no ill will. That’s what people don’t understand. The NFL, it’s more than just a game. The real truth is, NFL fans love NFL fans. As long as we’re decent with each other, who cares, right? Everyone appreciates fandom,” said Wilson, who plans to sit in the Inner Circle at the NFL Draft Theater Thursday night.
“I can’t tell you how many smiles and high fives and pictures I’ve taken with Detroit fans in the last hour. It’s been fun,” Wilson said.
Through the first day of NFL Draft festivities, the reception towards Detroit and its people has been overwhelmingly positive amongst fans within the NFL Draft Experience and many are looking forward to exploring more of the city the rest of the weekend.
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