NEW YORK — April 18, 2024 — The NFL announced today a series of community events taking place throughout Detroit as part of the 2024 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light on April 25-27, 2024. From events highlighting the unique role of football in bringing people together to projects centered around community greening and youth wellness, the 2024 NFL Draft community activations aim to leave a positive legacy in Detroit and the surrounding region that resonates long after the final pick.
On Monday, April 22, kicking off the 2024 NFL Draft Week, the NFL will partner with the American Cancer Society to host a Crucial Catch hospital visit in honor of National Minority Health Month (NMHM), which seeks to raise awareness about the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority communities and reducing health disparities. The NFL is committed to building stronger, more resilient communities by equipping students with the skills to form healthy relationships and protect their mental health.
In support of this mission, on Tuesday, April 23, the NFL will host a Character Playbook Speaker Series, bringing local students together for a live panel discussion and to participate in activities emphasizing the importance of mental wellness. On Wednesday, April 24, the NFL will host the Play Football Prospect Clinic with Special Olympics Athletes event. At the clinic, top NFL Draft prospects will participate in flag football drills and play in a Unified Flag Football game with Special Olympics Michigan athletes and their local Detroit area Unified teammates.
Draft prospects will also participate in a media availability following the event. This activation comes as the NFL and Special Olympics are expanding their existing partnership to pilot the integration of Unified Flag Football within the existing NFL FLAG league structure. As part of the NFL’s Inspire Change social justice initiative, on Thursday, April 25, the league will partner with S.H.I.E.L.D. 1 and the Green Boots Veteran Community Urban Farm to increase access to healthy foods, green space and neighborhood employment opportunities in the local Detroit community.
Rounding out the week, on Friday, April 26, the NFL will team up with the Bob Woodruff Foundation – an NFL Salute to Service partner – and Move United to host the first USA Wheelchair Football League Veterans All Star Game. This event will convene the USA Wheelchair Football League’s top players for a special contest between two teams comprised of U.S. Army and USMC/Navy veterans.
Throughout the week the NFL will also partner with the city of Detroit and other local organizations on a series of community greening events through NFL Green. NFL Green, the league’s environmental program, works to mitigate the environmental impact of the NFL’s major events, including the Draft, and create a “green” legacy in communities across the country. NFL Green activations at this year’s Draft include greening projects with the City of Detroit to bring tree equity to lower income neighborhoods in the region and the development of a community garden with Michigan State University and Keep Growing Detroit.
Several events during the week will take place at the historic Corner Ballpark in Detroit. The Corner Ballpark is home to the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL), who in partnership with other community organizations and volunteers, have created a vibrant neighborhood facility that welcomes local youth and promotes wellness. Events at the Corner Ballpark include the Play Football Prospect Clinic with the Special Olympics and an event with NFL Votes partner RISE about promoting civic engagement through sports.
Beyond community events, the NFL is committed to connecting with Detroit through a series of cultural activations that represent the diverse communities of the region. For the first time in its history, the NFL is installing prayer halls at one of its major tentpole events, with the goal of incorporating Detroit’s rich diversity and prioritizing a welcoming and inclusive experience for fans of all faiths. The installation will be designed and constructed by The Led Lion, a local Arab American-owned business. The Led Lion is one of many diverse-owned local businesses that the NFL has contracted for the NFL Draft as a part of its supplier diversity program.
More information about each of these events and other activations taking place throughout the 2024 NFL Draft Week can be found below.
Media interested in attending can contact Avis Roper at Avis.Roper@nfl.com for more information and to RSVP.
