NFL draft to go ahead as planned sans players, fans and media

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell advised all 32 teams on Thursday that the 2020 draft of new talent will go ahead as scheduled April 23-25. The NFL draft will go ahead as planned but players, fans and media will not be part of it due to the coronavirus pandemic.

An article posted on NFL.com cited a memo sent by Goodell to the teams saying that at a meeting of the commissioner’s executive committee the decision was “unanimous and unequivocal” that the draft should take place despite the coronavirus pandemic.

The public events originally scheduled around the draft in Las Vegas, Nevada, had already been cancelled as health authorities banned large gatherings and urged social distancing protocols in a bid to slow the spread of the virus.

“Apart from the CEC, I have personally discussed this matter with many other owners, club executives and coaches, and there is widespread support for the CEC’s conclusion,” Goodell said in the memo.

“Everyone recognises that public health conditions are highly uncertain and there is no assurance that we can select a different date and be confident that conditions will be significantly more favorable than they are today.

“I also believe that the draft can serve a very positive purpose for our clubs, our fans, and the country at large, and many of you have agreed.

“Because of the unique circumstances in our country today, the 2020 Draft will obviously need to be conducted in a different way. Already, we have cancelled all public events, we will not be bringing prospects and their families to the draft, and the draft itself will be conducted and televised in a way that reflects current conditions.

On Monday, all NFL-related physical exams were indefinitely stopped, therefore no free agents or draft prospects can be examined by a team’s doctors until it is deemed the coronavirus crisis has passed.

On Tuesday Goodell announced that all 32 teams had been instructing to close their facilities -- something that some teams had already done.

Goodell noted in his memo Thursday that teams would have to adjust how they conduct draft-day operations with their facilities closed.

“Our top priority is putting in place procedures that allow all clubs to operate on a level playing field so that the draft is conducted in a way that is competitively fair to all clubs,” he said.

“All clubs should now be doing the necessary planning to conduct draft operations in a location outside of your facility, with a limited number of people present, and with sufficient technology resources to allow you to communicate internally, with other clubs, and with draft headquarters.”

Meanwhile, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees announced on Thursday he is donating $5 million to help deliver meals to the needy in Louisiana as people struggle to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The 41-year-old NFL star helped his adopted home city rebound from Hurricane Katrina devastation by leading the Saints to victory in the 2010 Super Bowl.

Brees signed a two-year contract extension worth $50 million last week with the Saints, then posted on Instagram his plan with wife Brittany to help a region where coronavirus infections and deaths have spiked in recent days.

“Brittany and I are committing $5,000,000 to the State of Louisiana in 2020,” Brees posted. “The priority now is helping our communities get through this tough time.

“After considerable research and conversations with local organizations, we will be mobilizing our partnerships ... to prepare and deliver over 10,000 meals per day throughout Louisiana for as long as it takes to children on meal programs, seniors, and families in need.

“Let’s all do our part, maintain hope, and get through this together.”

Brees is an investor in multiple restaurants and a food delivery service in the area.

Saints coach Sean Payton was the first person in the NFL to be known as testing positive for coronavirus, but says he has been cleared by doctors and feels fine. New Orleans has been hard hit by the COVID-19 virus in recent days in the wake of last month’s annual Mardi Gras celebration in the city.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards thanked Brees for the support, tweeting, “On behalf of the Great State of Louisiana, we are all grateful for your family’s support and generosity through this trying time. We are one Louisiana and we will get through this, together.”

Brees has thrown an NFL record 6,867 completions for league records of 77,416 passing yards and 547 touchdowns as he prepares for his 20th NFL campaign.

Agencies