• by Barry Janoff , Columnist, February 27, 2018

With the dust from Super Bowl LIII just about settled — not soon enough for the New England Patriots, too soon for the champion Philadelphia Eagles — the NFL is activating behind its first two big events leading to the 2018 season: the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis (Feb. 25 -March 2) and the NFL Draft in Dallas (April 26-28).

The NFL Combine is where most incoming rookies go though a series of physical and mental exercises, enabling NFL executives, coaches and scouts to better plan for the Draft.

It is among the most anticipated days of the year by fans. But fans are not allowed into Lucas Oil Stadium to watch.

To accommodate them, the NFL last year tested the NFL Combine Experience, and this year is ramping it up even further in the Indiana Convention Center (March 1-4.) 

According to the league, people attending the Combine Experience “will have the opportunity to watch (on-screen) skills and drills from inside [the stadium].”

People will also receive in-ear radios with access to the NFL Network broadcast of the Combine “as well as exclusive insight from NFL legends and Combine staff.”

On-site in the Convention Center, the NFL will have a workout area where players will do bench-presses and will also set up stations for people to try many of the workouts that players are undergoing in the stadium.

People can also watch media interviews with NFL prospects, collect player autographs presented by Panini, take photos with the Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders, have a VR experience of bring on the sideline of NFL games, see such NFL memorabilia as the Vince Lombardi Trophy and a complete collection of Super Bowl rings and purchase gear in the NFL Shop.

At the Combine itself, NFL Network’s Rich Eisen will participate in “Run Rich Run,” which he as done since 2004, partnering with NFL Play 60 to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Eisen runs a 40-yard dash wearing a suit, tie and Under Armour cleats.

NFL Network will donate $25,000 to the cause, while AT&T Audience Network, Courtyard by Marriott and Under Armour have also pledged $25,000 each to help support play therapy at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 

People must register for a free Fan Mobile Pass ticket (NFL.com/CombineFMP) for the NFL Combine Experience.

This year, the NFL Draft will be held in a NFL stadium for the first time — the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.

In 2017, a record 250,000 fans attended the NFL Draft in Philadelphia, as well as 1,800-plus accredited media.

According to the NFL, the multi-day 2017 Draft “generated more than $94 million in economic impact for the city, surpassing initial projections and supporting an estimated 30,000 local jobs.”

AT&T Stadium holds more than 100,000, so the league is expecting a new Draft attendance record, and is activating with a mass audience in mind.

The NFL Draft will encompass the stadium’s outdoor plazas, including the free NFL Draft Experience presented by Dannon Oikos Triple Zero.
The NFL said this would be “the largest free festival ever created by the league, spanning the size of 26 football fields and featuring immersive experiences, virtual reality, player appearances” and activation by many NFL partners.

Although the NFL Draft is free, advance tickets are required (NFL.com/FanMobilePass).