Mariota Will Not Be in Chicago for 2015 NFL Draft, Will Watch From Hawaii
One of the things most looked forward to for any sports fan is the NFL Draft, the day when smiles and cheers for players are made after their names are called and they don the hat and shirt from their new team to the cheers, and sometimes jeers for fans in attendance and at home. This year two notable names will be missing from the festivities. Florida State Quarterback Jameis Winston announced last month he would not be attending the NFL Draft, this year in Chicago. Earlier this week, former Oregon Quarterback Marcus Mariota also announced he will not be attending the NFL Draft festivities in the Windy City.
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This is a disappointment. With the NFL looking to make a big splash in the Chicago area not having the two biggest Quarterbacks in the College game the last three years in attendance will hurt. Mariota does have a good excuse. He will be with family and friends in Hawaii watching where he will end up with the Community where it all started for him, which makes sense.
Wherever his number is called, be it second with the Tennessee Titans, sixth with the New York Jets, or another option in the first round, fans will still be able to see his reaction. He will allow both the NFL Network and ESPN to be there to share in his Draft Day experience, but he wanted to be home, rather than in Chicago. It will be odd to not see him don the hat and shirt of his new team on Draft day, but many Oregon fans will still be smiling with wherever he ends up playing in his NFL Career.
The 2015 NFL Draft begins on Friday April 29th.