NFL Draft 2020: Fans make fun of the Zoom-like interface, say this is 'the future of live events'
The much-anticipated NFL Draft 2020 finally got underway on Thursday and fans were absolutely stoked as this was the closest they could get of some sporting action considering how the world had come to a standstill. One of the talking points was how the virtual draft reminded them of a zoom call.
"This virtual NFL draft reminds me of a zoom call lmao," wrote a fan while another tweeted, "Average person tonight: the NFL Draft Me: The AAH Zoom Webinar #IowaAAH2020," tweeted another.
"As we all predicted 6 months ago, Jennifer Hudson is on a zoom conference call singing 'Lean on Me' 15 minutes before the NFL Draft," said another. "A message to all NFL teams: Do NOT try to hack into the Zoom calls of opposing teams. Draft fairly and cleanly. Respect the shield," tweeted another.
"Man, the NFL Draft looks sad AF. I feel like I'm watching an infomercial for Zoom!!!" said a viewer.
"I’m watching the NFL draft right now live on tv. There are like hundreds of people on zoom - players, coaches, experts, fans - capturing all the emotions live. Welcome to the future of live events. #NFLDraft2020," opined another fan. "My daughter's kindergarten teacher on a Zoom call with the class asked, "Does anyone know what's on TV tonight?" My daughter said, "The NFL Draft." My work is done #notreally," read one of the tweets.
One fan still blamed COVID-19 for all the developments. "I thought graduating on zoom would be tough, but I can’t imagine going through so many years perfecting a craft I love and beating out some of the best competition in the world to get drafted to an NFL team in front of my parents and loved ones just to have it ruined by corona :(," he tweeted.
"Props to the producers mashing up everyone’s zoom calls on the fly. This is gonna be interesting! Im just here for the bloopers #NFLDraft" wrote a fan. "So this meeting is locked right”... " joked another.
According to an ESPN report, "All 32 teams will be connected via one video conference, through a modified Microsoft Teams application, and will have a separate broadband connection with members of the league office."
Spread across three days and seven rounds, the 2020 NFL Draft will begin on April 23, Thursday, at 8 pm ET and go on till 12 pm ET on Saturday, April 25. Here's the official schedule: Round 1 on Thursday, April 23, at 8 pm ET; Round 2 to 3 on Friday, April 24, at 7 pm ET; Rounds 4 to 7 on Saturday, April 25, at 12 pm ET.