NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will be front and center for the 2024 NFL Draft tonight as he is set to announce all the picks in the first round. However, news broke on Thursday ahead of the draft, that Goodell had undergone major surgery just a month prior.
Roger Goodell Had Major Surgery A Month Before Draft
You have to tip your cap to commissioner Roger Goodell as he is going to be performing all of his duties tonight after major back surgery less than a month ago. NFL and ESPN insider Adam Schefter revealed just ahead of the draft on Thursday that Goodell had underwent major surgery and he has thankfully “recovered well.”
Although he has recovered well, his performance tonight may be hindered by the recovery, and fans should cut the commissioner some slack if he is not up to par the way he always is on draft night.
“NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell underwent back surgery three weeks ago, has recovered well, but it remains uncertain whether he will be able to offer his patented draft-day hugs. Draft-time decision,” Schefter said.
Detroit Is Set To Host 2024 NFL Draft
It has been almost two decades since Goodell took over as the commissioner in the 2006 season. Goodell, 65, will conduct all his duties tonight in Detroit. This will be the first time Detroit hosts the event and the 13th city host.
“You do it your way. You show off this community the way it deserves,” Goodell told NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico on Wednesday. “What you’ve done in this community is amazing. I’ve been coming here for decades. You see what you’ve done physically in the downtown area, but it’s really as much about the way you’ve come together. The public and the private sector and you’ve rallied around this community and I think the people around the world should see it. And you are going to have that opportunity. And if everyone sees what Detroit really is and the passion of the people in this community, that will be a successful draft.”
The 2024 NFL Draft will get underway at 8 p.m. ET tonight on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
Related: BREAKING: NFL Reveals Full Lineup Of People Announcing Picks For 2024 Draft
