Lives will be changed when the 75th NFL Draft takes place tonight at Radio City Music Hall in New York. To help celebrate the two-day event, ESPN The Magazine threw a pre-draft party for current and future NFL players at Espace. Rolling out sports caught up with with several NFL stars who discussed what they went through on the night before they were drafted. –amir shaw
Clinton Portis
All-Pro Running Back
Washington Redskins
“On the night before the draft, I was nervous and excited at the same time because I thought that I deserved to be a top 5 pick. I didn’t hear my name called when it finally happened because I did not attend the draft. I was on the highway driving and I got a call. I didn’t care which team picked me, I was just happy to be in the NFL.”
Adrain Petterson
All-Pro Running Back
Minnesota Vikings
“It was a sleepless night for me. I couldn’t wait for the day to come and to find out where I would be going. When I got drafted, it was an unbelievable feeling. It’s hard to describe, but it’s an experience that I will never forget.”
Jerry Rice
Hall of Fame Wide Receiver
San Francisco 49ers
“I was anxious and nervous until the first guy was drafted. But these guys will become instant millionaires tomorrow and everything will change.”
Lamarr Woodley
Super Bowl-Winning Linebacker
Pittsburgh Steelers
“The day before the draft, I was with my family. I stayed up late that night. I woke up the next morning and couldn’t wait to hear my name called by one of the 32 teams.”
Ray Rice
Running Back
Baltimore Ravens
“I was nervous. I didn’t go out to party the night before the draft. All of the guys who are out now need to get their partying in while they can because it’s a long season and you have to be focused. But when I got drafted, it was a great experience. It’s one of those things that can change your life.”
