The traffic sucked and it's unclear how much Philly will actually benefit economically from hosting the 2017 NFL draft. I attended and essentially gave the experience a B-.
But if you ask the national media, Philly's version of the annual spectacle put on to pick future NFL stars was downright incredible — a football Coachella, so to speak.
In fact, people liked it so gosh darn much, we might host it again next year. Here's a roundup of the sports media's glowing reviews of the three-day event, which NFL officials say brought 250,000 people into the city:
Fox Sports:
Despite the fan foibles, Philly came out in force. As fun as it's been to see Jets fans going through the five stages of grief within a 10-second span, an open-air pavilion with tens of thousands of fans watching, booing, cheering, booing and then booing some more is a much better draft atmosphere than a large room in Manhattan with balcony seating. Watching the excitement in Philly was a revelation. This is going to be the new normal. Draft as Coachella. It's like when they moved the first round to Thursday night: It's unbelievable no one thought of it earlier.
(Author's note: The writer made a really bad "Rocky"/Founding Fathers joke too, but we'll forgive it considering the kind words.)
SB Nation:
Every time the Eagles picked, the place went bonkers as could be expected with raucous choruses of “Fly Eagles Fly.” There were also really cool local nods to Philly fans when the team had selections up like when Eagles folk hero Vince Papale introduced Mad Money host (and Philly native) Jim Kramer to announce a pick.
Trey Wingo:
Adam Schefter:
Philly native Kevin Negandhi:
Ian Rapoport
(AN: Not sure if essentially pointing out we didn't riot is praise, but we'll take it.)