Mayor Lovely Warren will make the draft pick announcement.
By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
Buffalo Bills fans in the cities of Buffalo and Rochester have a line drawn between them in the upcoming “NFL 100” celebrations.
The NFL is celebrating 100 years since the league was born in Canton, Ohio, this year. Eight “Original Towns” outside of the 32 current NFL markets will host live telecasts in their hometowns to announce picks on Day 3 of the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft. Mayor Lovely Warren will announce the draft pick for Rochester, at a location to be determined.
Of those eight, Rochester is among them. The team was the Rochester Jeffersons (as we all knew, of course). Among the 13 other locations being celebrated, Buffalo is also among the grouping as well. Everyone better break out their Bills jersey to celebrate. Actually, no, how about your Buffalo All-Americans sweater instead? Those are your two Western New York teams among listed teams.
Here’s the full list of the teams being celebrated:
Akron, Ohio (Akron Pros)
Buffalo, New York (Buffalo All-Americans)
Canton, Ohio (Canton Bulldogs)
Chicago, Illinois (Racine Cardinals, Chicago Tigers)
Cleveland, Ohio (Cleveland Tigers)
Columbus, Ohio (Columbus Panhandles)
Dayton, Ohio (Dayton Triangles)
Decatur, Illinois (Decatur Staleys)
Detroit, Michigan (Detroit Heralds)
Hammond, Indiana (Hammond Pros)
Muncie, Indiana (Muncie Flyers)
Rochester, New York (Rochester Jeffersons)
Rock Island, Illinois (Rock Island Independents)
“There’s no better way to bring the League’s hundred years of history full circle than to partner with these communities and recognize their important place in history as part of the NFL’s centennial celebration,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell via a release from the league.
Goodell is a native of Jamestown, NY, also located in Western New York. Per the release, the hometown celebrations in these markets will “showcase the town’s history alongside fans, NFL legends, celebrities, and elected officials.”
Along with the various announcements that will be made in these municipalities, the NFL is planning to install new artificial turf field in the city of Dayton, Ohio.
The field will commemorate the first-ever NFL game played at Triangle Park on October 3, 1920, between the Dayton Triangles and the Columbus Panhandles.
For what it’s worth, the Triangles won 14-0, per the Dayton Daily News.
Additionally, the Foundation will make a donation to each of the 13 “Original Towns” to support local youth football programs, advocate for player safety, and promote football’s values.