In hosting the NFL Draft this year, Chicago helped make the annual event bigger and better than ever. For the first time, the selections were made outdoors on Day 3, and all three days were complemented by a massive interactive fan festival called Draft Town.
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The event’s final day also brought a special moment when Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, serving as an analyst for NFL Network’s live broadcast, witnessed one of his own players being selected.
When Cleveland took NU safety Ibraheim Campbell in the fourth round, Fitzgerald was stationed in Draft Town with NFL Network reporter Melissa Stark and Arkansas coach Bret Bielema.
“I’m very thankful; it was a great opportunity, and just a perfect day all around,” Fitzgerald said. “To speak about Ibraheim in that way, one of the young men that I had the opportunity to coach, was even that much more sweet.”
The Browns had insider knowledge of Campbell before they selected him because their defensive coordinator, Jim O’Neil, was a Northwestern graduate assistant from 2003-04.
“I stood up in his wedding,” Fitzgerald said on-air when Campbell was picked.
Fitzgerald’s media skills and local ties made him an obvious choice to be featured on the broadcast, according to those who recruited him to the event.
“This is exactly what we’re trying to do with the draft here in Chicago is let the fans get closer to the coaches and players, and we think this will be a huge win,” Eric Weinberger, executive producer of the NFL Media Group, said of why Fitzgerald was chosen.
Later in the day, Fitzgerald saw another one of his players, Quarterback Trevor Siemian, get drafted by Denver in the seventh round. Siemian will compete to back up superstar Peyton Manning.
Fitzgerald, who grew up in southwest suburban Orland Park and played at Northwestern, was impressed by how everything came together.
“Watching it on TV on Thursday and Friday as a Chicagoan was awesome,” he said. “I’m biased I know, but it’s the greatest city in the world, no question about that. It was spectacular the way the city was showcased.”
Paul M. Banks is a RedEye special contributor. @paulmbanks
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