“There were a couple times that we lost a feed or
two, but it quickly came back.”
After early concerns about how the NFL could
conduct a virtual draft, everyone appeared to
end up having fun with it. Coaches and general
managers embraced their children or spouses
being on camera and draft picks got to watch
from home comfortably instead of waiting in a
green room.
Even normally stodgy New England coach Bill
Belichick got into the spirit of things by giving
his dog, an Alaskan Klee Kai named Nike, some
television time.
“I thought coaches and general managers were
going to lock themselves in a room and it was
the opposite. Every time I looked up there was
more family around,” Markman said. “I think it
speaks to the coaches that when this is done,
they can remember it is OK not to be in the office
at all times.”
Miami coach Brian Flores, who was shown
celebrating picks with sons Miles and Maxwell
in his office, said it was important for fans to see
another side of him.
“When I think about being a coach, you want
to help players become good players but good
people, good husbands, good fathers, good
sons; and I think we, as coaches, need to be good
examples of that,” said Flores, whose young
daughter, Liliana, at times sat on his lap. “I think that
was evident. It was nice to see everyone’s families.”
Each day attracted record audiences.
Thursday’s first round averaged 15.6 million,
Friday’s second and third rounds 8.2 million
and Saturday’s final four rounds 4.2 million.