Hall of Fame touch at the NFL Draft

The annual draft has evolved into one of the biggest events in the NFL other than the games. This year, the league celebrates its 75th Draft by moving the first round to prime time and extending the draft to three days. An estimated total of 8,000 fans will watch the 2010 NFL Draft in person at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Helping to add to the atmosphere is the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Three members of newly elected Class of 2010 Enshrinees – Floyd Little, John Randle, and Jerry Rice – will be on hand in New York  for part of the draft.

The Hall of Fame has also set up an exhibit for fans to enjoy. Featured in display cases at Radio City Music Hall are nearly 50 great treasures from the Hall’s collection in Canton. Among the pieces of memorabilia on exhibit are jerseys worn by Little and Rice during their NFL careers.

{GALLERY}Aside from showcasing the Hall’s Class of 2010 (that also includes Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Dick LeBeau, and Emmitt Smith) the exhibit includes artifacts from some of the greatest players ever drafted into the NFL. Fans can see the jersey worn by Joe Montana during his Super Bowl XIX MVP performance and the football carried by Walter Payton in the game when he set the all-time rushing record in 1984. Visitors to Radio City Music Hall will also get a glimpse of recent history with pieces such as Peyton Manning’s jersey from his 1999 rookie season, Tom Brady’s Super Bowl XXXVI jersey, and the shoulder pads worn by Brett Favre with the Packers when he established the four major career passing marks.

Hall of Fame at Team Draft Parties
The Hall of Fame will also be on hand at three of the NFL team draft parties. Cowboys fans can stop by the Hall of Fame booth at Cowboys Stadium on Thursday night and meet Bob Lilly, the first Cowboy ever elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. On Saturday, Class of 1983 enshrinee Bobby Mitchell will be at the Redskins draft party at FedEx Field. Steelers fans can check with the Hall’s booth at Heinz Field on Saturday for a chance to win great prizes.

In addition, two members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who were former first round draft picks, Carl Eller and Tom Mack, will take part in a special autograph session at the Hall of Fame in Canton. Tickets are still available>>>

Fans and followers of the Hall of Fame’s Facebook and Twitter pages will also receive special instructions on how to win prizes in Dallas, Pittsburgh, Washington as well as at Saturday’s autograph session in Canton. Not a fan or follower? Join today and suggest us to your friends also! Facebook.com/ProFootballHOF | Twitter.com/ProFootballHOF

NFL Draft on Profootballhof.com
All-time draft selections, 1936-present
Hall of Famers by Draft Year
Hall of Famers by Draft Round