By DESTINY RAMOS
The Las Vegas Raiders hosted the 2022 NFL draft during the last weekend of April; however, the city offered much more than just the draft. The three-day weekend included games, meet and greets, obstacle courses, viewings of Super Bowl trophies and rings and much more, all free of cost. The NFL promises “to go all out to make this event the biggest and best” of them all for the very first “Vegas-style Draft.” News officials described the experience as “promising” and as a weekend “that everyone will remember.”
Right next to the draft experience was the main stage of the event where the draft picks were first announced to the public and live TV that was “105 feet wide and 280 feet long” according to NFL officials. Celebrities such as Donny Osmund, Ed Marinaro, Emmit Smith, Marcus Allen, Wayne Newton and many more made special appearances to announce their favorite teams’ new additions. (DESTINY RAMOS/ Ethic News Photo)
The main events were held behind the Las Vegas strip, notably behind the Flamingo, Harrah’s, Linq, and Cromwell hotels, where there are usually empty parking lots. (DESTINY RAMOS/ Ethic News photo)
The Vince Lombardi Trophy for Super Bowl XI, usually held for display at Allegiant Stadium, that the Raiders won against the Vikings on Jan. 9 of 1977. The trophies from Super Bowls XI, XV and XVIII that the Raiders have won over the years were displayed for all to view and take pictures with. (DESTINY RAMOS/ Ethic News Photo)
In front of the main stage, the NFL hosted their usual talk show that was broadcasted on live television. This was not the only set up throughout the experience, as two more stages were set up throughout the experience filled with many different NFL TV personalities. (DESTINY RAMOS/ Ethic News photo)
The Hall of Fame was home to many interesting finds, including the display of football players’ lockers and their personal items. Derek Carr, Raiders’ quarterback of 5 years, had his personal jerseys, helmet, cleats, sneakers, and clothing on display. He was not the only one, as all other football quarterbacks’ belongings were displayed as well along with other NFL legends. (DESTINY RAMOS/ Ethic News photo)
In that same Hall of Fame, crystal-studded helmets of every NFL team were displayed along with the locker view of different teams’ players. The helmets were designed by Quinn Gregory with the jewelry company, Swarovski, with all 12,500 crystals being hand-applied and costing just over $1800 each. (DESTINY RAMOS/ Ethic News Photo)
In the Hall of Fame, seven of the most well-known NFL players and coaches are on display from the Pro Football Hall of Fame location in Canton, Ohio. The wall above displays John Madden on the middle top, Tom Flores on the top left, Peyton Manning on the bottom left, Charles Woodson on the top right, Howie Long on the bottom right, Tim Brown on the bottom, and Marcus Allen in the center. (DESTINY RAMOS/ Ethic News Photo)
This Lamar Hunt Trophy was first awarded to the Miami Dolphins as the winner of the AFC championship game in the 1984-85 NFL playoffs and has since been awarded to the winners year after year. As of Jan. 30, 2022, the Cincinnati Bengals are the proud holders of the trophy after winning the AFC championship game against the Chiefs and advancing to Super Bowl LVI. (DESTINY RAMOS/ Ethic News photo)
Designed by Riddell, these are roughly 72 Metallic Chrome helmets on display from the Chrome Alternate Collection. These are collectable helmets and can be found in NFL shops around the country. (DESTINY RAMOS/ Ethic News photo)
The 40-Yard Dash was where up to three people can test how fast they run compared to an NFL player. The player would run alongside the runner through the screen which would describe how fast the runner and player ran. (DESTINY RAMOS/ Ethic News photo)
In this field, parents could sign their kids up for a thirty minute training session with volunteer coaches and play a few rounds of flag football afterwards. During the training session, kids of all ages would learn to tackle, throw and catch footballs and how to play flag football. (DESTINY RAMOS/ Ethic News photo)
The streamers lounge gave video gamers and football fans alike a chance to play the game Madden 2022 on the Xboxes offered. This lounge was also used as an area for attendees and volunteers to cool off from the Nevada heat. (DESTINY RAMOS/ Ethic News Photo)
The Draft Set was a photo opportunity with their teams in the background and the ability to hold a number one jersey of the team of their choice. There were two jerseys of all 32 NFL teams. (DESTINY RAMOS/ Ethic News photo)
Meet and greets with many NFL players and coaches were offered, free of cost. Maxx Crosby, Raiders defensive end, made an appearance for a Q&A and a meet and greet with his fans on Saturday, Apr. 29. (DESTINY RAMOS/ Ethic New photo)
After the draft concluded for the day, Ice Cube held a post-draft concert for attendees. He was one of the three artists, Weezer and Marshmello being the other two, who held post-draft concerts. (DESTINY RAMOS/Ethic News photo)
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