NEW YORK (AP) – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was booed by fans when he opened the NFL draft and again when he announced Cam Newton as the first overall pick by Carolina.
Goodell welcomed the fans packing Radio City Music Hall and said, “Let’s get back to some football. The 2011 NFL draft is officially open.”
Fans responded by chanting, “We want football!”
Before the draft Goodell mingled with some fans in the lobby, chatting and posing for pictures.
Even before he officially got the draft started, he was greeted by boos by many of the fans and the “We want football!” cries.
Goodell smiled and said, “I hear you.”
As the chants grew louder, Goodell said, “I agree. I’m with you.”
A few seconds later, Goodell asked for a moment of silence to remember the victims of the storms that ripped through the South on Wednesday.
He also singled out Alabama coach Nick Saban and Auburn coach Gene Chizik, who were on stage, as well as several players from the states hit by the storms, including Newton and Alabama’s Marcell Dareus.
Other than the boos, the announcement of Newton as the top pick looked like draft business as usual for the commissioner.
He greeted the Auburn quarterback with a handshake and a hug, and the two had their photographs taken while holding a Carolina Panthers jersey with the No. 1 on it.
The boos continued for Goodell with the second pick, when he announced the Denver Broncos had selected Texas A&M’s Von Miller, the lone draft prospect who is a plaintiff in the players’ antitrust lawsuit against the league that has led to the lifting of the lockout by a judge.
Miller said Wednesday he was going to give Goodell a big hug when he got on stage with the commissioner – and the linebacker was true to his word.
Goodell clapped as Miller walked on to the stage, gave a big smile and the two embraced in a bear hug that last about 10 seconds.
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