The Lions aren't slated to pick until late in the first round, but the 2024 NFL Draft began with an incredible moment for Detroit fans.
An intro video featuring Roger Goodell and Enimen turned to reality when the legendary rapper joined the NFL commissioner on stage to officially open the draft. Eminem didn't seem too enthused by Goodell, but he turned up the energy in an instant when Goodell let him take the podium. Eminem fired up the crowd, turning boos for Goodell into cheers for the NFL offseason's premier event.
Eminem helps kick off the NFL Draft in Detroit 👏
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 26, 2024
🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/cDoCVhW0sT
That wasn't all. Lions stars Aidan Hutchinson, Jared Goff, and Amon-Ra St. Brown took the stage, as well, joined by franchise legends Calvin Johnson and Barry Sanders.
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Before the night became all about Caleb Williams, St. Brown made sure Goff had his moment, leading a "Jared Goff" chant.
Amon Ra starts a Jared Goff chant before kickin off the draft🔥 pic.twitter.com/oqZVVsQzkN
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) April 26, 2024
It's a good time to be a Lions fan, as Detroit is coming off an NFC championship game appearance and just signed two franchise cornerstones in St. Brown and Penei Sewell to long-term extensions. That momentum was reflected in the crowd on Thursday, at least before those cheers turned back to boos the moment the Bears' logo appeared on the massive video board on stage.
2024 NFL Draft intro video with Eminem
Here's the video that led up to Goodell and the Detroit contingent taking the stage:
"You know you're still going to get booed, right?" 😂
— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2024
Detroit legends made sure the Commissioner was ready. pic.twitter.com/T6y2ans9eo
Where is Eminem from?
Eminem was born in Missouri and spent the first 12 years of his life in the state before he and his mother moved to a Detroit suburb.
Despite his early Missouri roots, Eminem has long associated himself with Detroit. He developed his rap career in Detroit and is one of the city's most recognizable artists from any era.
Is Eminem a Lions fan?
Eminem is a long-time Lions fan, supporting the team well before this recent stretch of success.
The rapper referenced the winless 2008 Lions in a 2013 song, and he continued to support the franchise through some more lean years leading up to the Dan Campbell era.
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When the Lions finally made it back to the playoffs and won two home playoff games last season, Eminem was present at Ford Field alongside Johnson and other Lions greats. He even posted a video offering to play a few snaps in the Lions' divisional-round matchup against the Buccaneers, if Campbell wanted.
Calvin Johnson and Eminem are spending time together before the Lions playoff game at Ford Field pic.twitter.com/Piq9vWtrsR
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 15, 2024
Even if Eminem won't be suiting up for the Lions, he's likely not going to tone down his support for the franchise ahead of what Detroit hopes will be a Super Bowl season.
