Sweet Lou Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 Unplanned visit to Radio City Music Hall for the NFL Draft in 2007. My late wife was having surgery at North Presbyterian in NYC. I was pacing the hall during her surgical procedure, wearing my old Bills hat as usual. (I wear a Bills hat every day) While pacing, the Doctor's limo driver waved to me to get my attention, then said; "Hey!" "I wanna show you something!" "And don't worry we got lots of time!" I followed him to the car and he said to hop in and that this would only take a minute. He pulled up In front of the Radio City Hall and he gave me a Doctor's pass on a lanyard. He said "You got a half hour kid!" "Be back here in 30!" Ushers opened the door and I walked in with just a nod. I have always described the experience as enchanting. I just followed the noise, because I actually thought I was lost. During the announcement of a draft pick the whole place would go silent, then a moment later the place would erupt in loud Boooing. The Commissioner was the one being boooed I think. It was a collection of fans from 32 different teams and there was no fighting; just shaking hands, talking, hugging, eating and drinking beer. I kept an eye on the time and when it was time to go I was actually questioned by an unknown fan who said "Doc., Ya leaving already?" Gotta go was my reply and I kept walking. My head was spinning all the way back to North Pres. I couldn't believe what I just did and what I went through. Long story short: Her cancer came back ten years later. It was aggressive and it took her quickly. "You gotta build some memories kid!" Was the last advice given. Weird thing is, I was 49 at the time. I'm 65 now and still building the memories. 12 6 1 Quote
mrags Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 Amazing story. So sorry to hear about the loss of your wife. I was at the draft at Radio City in 2009. We just signed T.O. And I had An Owens jersey within a few days. Went to the draft. Had an amazing time. Met some longtime friends. Met Goodell and the late “professor”, John Clayton. Unfortunately we drafted Aaron Maybin. Quote
ohboychoboy Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 I was at the 2018 draft in Dallas when we drafted Josh Allen. Lots of excitement in that 1st round when the Bills traded up, and when Roger Goodell finished the "and with the 7th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Josh ...." sentence with "Allen", I slumped in my seat and hung my shaking head, while my son, who was 23 at the time, jumped with glee. I of course wanted to hear "Rosen". Needless to say, my son was right on THAT one. 1 Quote
Kirby Jackson Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 I was in Cleveland a couple of years ago. I saw the Bills select Tommy Doyle 🙂 1 3 Quote
NewEra Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 i went to day 3 last year in Vegas. @Jamie Nails flexed on security and got me into the front. We were crushing seltzers and talking smack. I got meet and sit next to @Mark Vader and experience his all time draft manifesto, each player ever drafted since 1932 written down by the man himself. He looks great for a man over 100 years old. it was a pleasure and privilege gentlemen. Thanks for having me. the first pick I witnessed was Khalil Shakir, one of my draft class crushes. Than the rape god and Benford. 3 (what should have been) solid picks in a row on day 3. 1 1 1 Quote
Heitz Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 (edited) Never been, but the agency I work for has a few people there doing marketing activation for an NFL partner. My instructions to the team were simple - "Look for Bills players and get me autographs! Oh, and like, do your job or whatever..." I'll go in 2026 when it's in Buffalo at the new stadium! Edited April 27, 2023 by Heitz 1 Quote
PJBrown7 Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 (edited) I was fortunate enough to be in the inner circle when it came to Nashville in 2019. My good friend works in my insurance agency here and she is also President of the Nashville Bills Backers (it’s also awesome that she’s from West Seneca and me Hamburg). What an experience! Once in a Lifetime! Edited April 27, 2023 by PJBrown7 2 Quote
Olliemets Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 My son now works at NFL. But he did an internship there back in 2012 and got me into Radio City, which was right across the street from 30 Rock where I worked at NBC. Was very cool with the pomp and circumstance and buzz in the lobby and concourses. Of course the present set up dwarfs the former in the same way Radio City Dwarfed the Sheraton and other NYC Venues before it. He's been to the Nashville and Vegas drafts since as an employee. Nice little junket for the execs. Not quite the Super Bowl but still great to be a part of for hi, Not going this year, working home base. 1 Quote
mrags Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 23 minutes ago, Heitz said: Never been, but the agency I work for has a few people there doing marketing activation for an NFL partner. My instructions to the team were simple - "Look for Bills players and get me autographs! Oh, and like, do your job or whatever..." I'll go in 2026 when it's in Buffalo at the new stadium! I’m guessing it’ll be in Buffalo once the new stadium is built as well. But I don’t think it’ll be IN the new stadium. Maybe I’m wrong. what would be really cool actually is hosting it in the Ralph. One last send off before they tear the thing down 1 Quote
John from Riverside Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 11 hours ago, Sweet Lou said: Unplanned visit to Radio City Music Hall for the NFL Draft in 2007. My late wife was having surgery at North Presbyterian in NYC. I was pacing the hall during her surgical procedure, wearing my old Bills hat as usual. (I wear a Bills hat every day) While pacing, the Doctor's limo driver waved to me to get my attention, then said; "Hey!" "I wanna show you something!" "And don't worry we got lots of time!" I followed him to the car and he said to hop in and that this would only take a minute. He pulled up In front of the Radio City Hall and he gave me a Doctor's pass on a lanyard. He said "You got a half hour kid!" "Be back here in 30!" Ushers opened the door and I walked in with just a nod. I have always described the experience as enchanting. I just followed the noise, because I actually thought I was lost. During the announcement of a draft pick the whole place would go silent, then a moment later the place would erupt in loud Boooing. The Commissioner was the one being boooed I think. It was a collection of fans from 32 different teams and there was no fighting; just shaking hands, talking, hugging, eating and drinking beer. I kept an eye on the time and when it was time to go I was actually questioned by an unknown fan who said "Doc., Ya leaving already?" Gotta go was my reply and I kept walking. My head was spinning all the way back to North Pres. I couldn't believe what I just did and what I went through. Long story short: Her cancer came back ten years later. It was aggressive and it took her quickly. "You gotta build some memories kid!" Was the last advice given. Weird thing is, I was 49 at the time. I'm 65 now and still building the memories. This is both a great and horrible story Quote
BuffaloRebound Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 (edited) Went in 2001, the year Vick went first overall and we traded back and took Nate Clements. No tickets were distributed so hand to stand in long line to get in. Was pretty boring. Before smart phones, it was way better to be watching it on TV in your living room. And most of the people there were just dressed up to get on TV and had no idea that the Chargers traded the #1 pick the night before. Was a weird scene. I assume it is way better now. Edited April 27, 2023 by BuffaloRebound Quote
ExiledInIllinois Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 15 minutes ago, mrags said: I’m guessing it’ll be in Buffalo once the new stadium is built as well. But I don’t think it’ll be IN the new stadium. Maybe I’m wrong. what would be really cool actually is hosting it in the Ralph. One last send off before they tear the thing down They will host it in the FieldHouse. 😉 😆... Quote
CookieG Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 I live an hour from KC and my oldest asked if I wanted to drive to attend the draft. Nah. With my luck, I'm the guy on national TV, who is caught screaming WTF when they draft a DT at 27. 2 Quote
T master Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 Cancer sucks !!! I too have lost family to it . Thanks of the story glad you got to have that experience despite what was happening at the time keep making memories ... Quote
mikemac2001 Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 Drove up to Dallas to see the Josh Allen pick Great day! Quote
Bronxbomber21 Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 I was at Radio City for the Cj Spiller pick in 2010 the the Marcel Darius in 2011 and Stephon Gilmore in 2012 Quote
BritBill Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 32 minutes ago, CookieG said: I live an hour from KC and my oldest asked if I wanted to drive to attend the draft. Nah. With my luck, I'm the guy on national TV, who is caught screaming WTF when they draft a DT at 27. And he then turns out to be the greatest DT of all time and your reaction is there to be mocked for decades. 1 Quote
mrags Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 2 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said: They will host it in the FieldHouse. 😉 😆... They will probably host it in the new stadium. And it will be freezing rain that day. Just to show that we should have built a dome. calm down people it’s a joke 1 Quote
ExiledInIllinois Posted April 27, 2023 Posted April 27, 2023 8 minutes ago, mrags said: They will probably host it in the new stadium. And it will be freezing rain that day. Just to show that we should have built a dome. calm down people it’s a joke 😆 I agree with you! I am in your camp! Quote
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