DETROIT (AP) — There is no room Drake Maye I would prefer to be.
When the NFL invited the former North Carolina quarterback to attend the draft In Detroithe had a quick response.
Yes.
“I think you always dream of coming here and walking across the stage and being with the commissioner,” Maye said. “It’s something I couldn’t refuse. It was obvious to me. »
Not everyone feels the same way.
Only 13 players chose to celebrate their big night in the Motor City, representing a decline in NFL Draft entrants for the third year in a row.
Former Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy was among the first-round hopefuls who opted to stay away Thursday night.
During the draft in Kansas City last year, 17 players were present. Two years ago in Las Vegas, 22 prospects were on hand to hear their names called.
With COVID-19 protocols in place three years ago in Cleveland, 12 college stars attended the draft during the pandemic.
The league provides each invited player with two first-class air tickets and eight coach air tickets as well as transportation to and from a hotel, where five rooms are provided. Players do not receive appearance fees from the league.
In the Green Room, located behind the stage in Detroit, players can be joined by up to nine guests on white leather chairs and sofas, while additional theater tickets are also available upon request.
McCarthy I just wanted to celebrate with even more people.
He planned to be surrounded by 100 people — including family, Illinois friends, teammates and football program staff — near the airport, which is halfway between Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the site of the draft.
“I didn’t want to go to Detroit because I know it took a village to get me here, and I want to celebrate with them,” McCarthy told WXYZ-TV.
Although McCarthy wasn’t going to walk the red carpet, he planned to wear a custom charcoal gray Alo Yoga suit.
“I don’t like being the center of attention,” he said, “but for one night, I will.”
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