A month before Pittsburgh hosts the NFL Draft, Commissioner Roger Goodell gave News Radio KDKA's Michael Bartley an exclusive interview on the draft, what it means to Pittsburgh and to the players.
Goodell says the draft has changed a lot in his more than 40 years with the League, going from a hotel ballroom event to an internationally-attended three-day spectacular.
He says it will give Pittsburgh a chance to shine, as the city where memories are made that will last forever.
"It's a life-changing moment and something that every player that goes through it reminds me about it . . . 'remember that hug, remember this, remember that?' it's all that moment where it all comes to reality for them and Pittsburgh is going to be a part of that," said Goodell.
Goodells also talked about the Rooney family and how they define Pittsburgh in so many ways, and the late Ambassador Dan Rooney, who taught him a lot about the league and life.
"And I will be thinking of Dan, he was a great influence on me personally, career wise, I'm sure I wouldn't be sitting in this seat without Dan Rooney," said Goodell.
Goodell calls the draft setup outside Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park, "iconic."
He also says the NFL Draft is one event during the year where every team gets better and have hope.
With up to 700,000 people expected for the Draft, many will be international visitors. Goodell says they will be here because they love the NFL.
Goodell is very familiar with the Pittsburgh area. He attended Washington & Jefferson College.
