Posted on April 27, 2020
By Annalece Anhalt-Slaughter
Like many of you, we spent the better part of our weekend glued to our TVs, watching the 2020 NFL Draft – all seven rounds, right down to Mr. Irrelevant. There were some amazing picks, some that left fans shaking their heads, but there’s one thing that they pretty much all had in common: tragic stories! At least, that’s what ESPN would have you believe with their draft coverage this year. They really committed to bumming their viewers out with calling out every personal tragedy and deceased family member in a pick’s life. We love hearing stories about athletes overcoming difficult circumstances and coming out as a better person… but we think ESPN took it too far. We’re starting to think they were hoping only those with the saddest backgrounds would get drafted.
people: “this nfl draft will be a great distraction from all the tragedy in the world right now”
— maybe: chris (@noturfatherscpa) April 24, 2020
espn: “here is everyone that has died in this player’s life”
"FATHER, ARON, DIED IN 2008 OF HEART FAILURE"
— Zach Halverson (@ZachHalverson) April 25, 2020
Why is that a main bullet point? Awfully sad, and certainly a story there, but why is that relavant? pic.twitter.com/XiEA5TvAjA
ESPN: tell us about yourself
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) April 25, 2020
NFL DRAFT PROSPECT: so i like football, hanging out with my friends, playing video games! looking forward to helping at the next level!!
ESPN: yea sure anyway what's ur greatest personal tragedy and do u prefer soft piano or harp as background music
Do the fans think ESPN when too far with their 2020 NFL Draft coverage? Yes.
What would the fans want us to focus on during the first-ever FCFL Draft? Probably anything other than personal tragedy. Here are some ideas for alternative topics to feature alongside their stats might not be the best, but we think the fans will agree that they are better than highlighting all the deaths one family has had to endure:
- Are they a cat or a dog person?
- Their biggest fear?
- An embarrassing story about their childhood?
- which character they pick in Super Smash Brothers?
- Their favorite sports memory?
- Which character from The Office they think is their soulmate?
- Maybe even what they think about pineapple on pizza?
Let us know what else you’d like to know about your potential draft picks!