NFL Draft 2016: The memories in pictures - Medill Reports Chicago

2016 NFL Draft, NFL Draft, Sports, Spring 2016

NFL Draft 2016: The memories in pictures

May 2, 2016

By Hannah Gebresilassie and Aishwarya Kumar Lakshminarayanapuram

The 2016 NFL Draft came to an end, but the memories are still fresh. From Ezekiel Elliott’s selfie with Commissioner Roger Goodell to the first European player to be drafted in the NFL straight from the European league, the three-day event had it all. Here are some pictures which will be etched in our memories.

Day 1:The wait is over

NFL Draft 2016 — The first night of the NFL Draft got things started with a tribute to Prince. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Commisioner Roger Goodell — Commissioner Roger Goodell gets ready to announce a pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie_MEDILL)

Anquan Bolding — Anquan Boldin, the 2015 Walter Payton Man of the Year, joins Roger Goodell to make a first round pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Jared Goff — Jared Goff is ready to start his new journey with the Rams. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Jared Goff — The No. 1 pick of the 2016 NFL Draft is University of California, Berkeley quarterback Jared Goff to the Rams. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Carson Wentz — The No. 2 overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft is quarterback Carson Wentz from North Dakota State University, who is headed to Philadelphia. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Joey Bosa — No. 3 overall pick Joey Bosa is headed to the San Diego Chargers. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Joey Bosa — With the third pick of the draft, Joey Bosa from Ohio State is headed to the San Diego Chargers. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Ezekiel Elliot — No. 4 pick Ezekiel Elliot makes a grand entrance on stage and is headed to the Dallas Cowboys. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Ezekiel Elliot — Ezekiel Elliot pulls out his phone from his pocket and takes a selfie with Roger Goodell. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Jalen Ramsey — The Jacksonville Jaguars draft Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey as the No. 5 pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Ronnie Stanley — Ronnie Stanley dabs his way into the NFL as the No. 6 pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Deion Sanders and Rev. Jesse Jackson — Deion Sanders and Rev. Jesse Jackson exchange words at the draft. (Hannah Gebresilassie_MEDILL)

Nick Greisen — Former NFL linebacker and Kellogg graduate Nick Greisen is in the audience with his daughter. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Front row fans — Front row fans at the NFL Draft cheer loud and proud. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Greenbay fans — Green Bay fans cheer loud and proud for the Packers’ first pick in the draft. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Jack Conklin — Jack Conklin from Michigan State is headed to Tennessee Titans as the No. 8 overall pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Jack Conklin — Michigan State’s Jack Conklin shakes hands with Roger Goodell. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Bears fan — A Bears fan cheers in the second row on Day 1 of the NFL Draft. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Vernon Hargreaves — No. 11 pick Vernon Hargreaves form Florida does the “Gator Chomp” as he enters the stage. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Keanu Neal — Atlanta’s first round draft pick, Keanu Neal shows his Gator pride. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Shaq Lawson — No. 19 pick Shaq Lawson poses with Roger Goodell. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Shaq Lawson's family — Shaq Lawson’s family celebrates after hearing his name called. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Josh Doctson — Josh Doctson is headed to Washington as the No. 22 overall pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Laquon Treadwell — Laquon Treadwell and his 3-year-old daughter pose with Roger Goodell. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Mayor Rahm Emmanuel — Mayor Rahm Emmanuel hangs out with the audience on day one of the NFL Draft. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Rahm Emmanuel — Rahm Emmanuel is in the house on day one of the NFL Draft. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Robert Nkemdiche — Robert Nkemdiche goes as the No. 29 overall pick to Arizona. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Vernon Butler — Vernon Butler is headed to the Carolina Panthers as the No. 30 overall pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Vernon Butle — Defensive tackle Vernon Butler from Louisiana Tech attends his first press conference as an NFL player. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Oakland fans — These Oakland fans have a message for the Raiders. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Day 2:NFL Greats

Walter Payton award recipients — Former Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year recipients greet the audience before round two and three selections. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Jevon Kearse — Former Tennessee Titans’ player Jevon Kearse announces the 33rd pick. Clemson’s Kevin Dodd is headed to Tennessee. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Michael Irvin and Dick Butkus — NFL greats Michael Irvin and Dick Butkus pose on stage before a Bears’ pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Dick Butkus — NFL Hall of Famer and Bears legend Dick Butkus announces a Bears’ pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Roger Goodell — Members of the Phillips Class 4A state football team join Roger Goodell and Dick Butkus on stage for the Bears’ pick at No. 56. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Carlos Dunlap — Carlos Dunlap missed his graduation from Florida to announce the pick. He threw his cap in celebration. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Carolina Panthers pick — The stage is set for the Carolina Panthers’ pick on day two of the 2016 NFL Draft. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Fans cheering — Fans cheer on the second day of the 2016 NFL draft. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Father and son — Father and son cheer while waiting on a Bears pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Chester Pitts — Former Houston Texans guard and Walter Payton Man of the Year Chester Pitts gets ready to announce a second round pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Shaun Alexander — Former Seattle running back Shaun Alexander signs autographs after announcing a pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Delanie Walker — Former Walter Payton Man of the Year Delanie Walker gets ready to announce a pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Chris Jones — The No. 37 overall pick is Mississippi State defensive tackle Chris Jones, selected by the Kansas City Chiefs. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

NFL Draft hosts — Draft hosts act in a skit, pretending to be on the phone with the Bears during round two of the 2016 NFL Draft. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Israel Idonije — Chicago Bears’ Israel Idonije is joined by Character Playbook students to announce a pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Thomas Davis — Carolina Panthers’ linebacker Thomas Davis gets ready to announce a pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Round two — Rounds two and three of the 2016 NFL Draft conclude at Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Chicago streets — Streets of downtown Chicago are decked out during the 2016 NFL Draft. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Day 3:Selection Square

Fans celebrating — The rainy weather did not dampen the spirit of fans, who came out in large numbers to see their favorite players get picked on day three of the NFL Draft. (Aishwarya Kumar/MEDILL)

Chi Town — The stage is all set for day three of the NFL Draft in Selection Square. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Managers — Managers communicate with the teams as picks come in on Day 3. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Father and son — Father and son share a funny moment before a Lions’ pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Fans — A young fan sits on his father’s lap waiting to see whom the Bears pick. (Aishwarya Kumar/MEDILL)

Bears fan — A Bears fan poses with a helmet he won after winning a trivia competition organized by the NFL in Selection Square. (Aishwarya Kumar/MEDILL)

Tarrell Davis — Former Broncos’ running back Terrell Davis makes an appearance on day three of the draft. (Aishwarya Kumar/MEDILL)

Eagles fans — Eagles fans pose with their flag in Selection Square. It is rumored that the draft will move to Philadelphia next year. (Aishwarya Kumar/MEDILL)

Fans — A Washington fan and a Dallas fan watch intently as picks come in. (Aishwarya Kumar/MEDILL)

Bears fan — A Bears fan awaits the latest pick in the first row at Selection Square. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Bears greats — Bears legends greet attendees at Selection Square on the final day of the draft. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Chicago fans — Chicago fans are ready to hear the Bears make their pick. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

New York Jets — New York Jets are on the clock at Selection Square. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

Moritz Boehringer — Germany’s Moritz Boehringer, who was picked by the Vikings, poses with fans in Selection Square. (Aishwarya Kumar/MEDILL)

Chicago Skyline — It was cold and rainy but that did not stop fans from coming to Selection Square on day three. (Aishwarya Kumar/MEDILL)

Fans — Fans enjoy their day in Draft Town. (Hannah Gebresilassie/MEDILL)

baby fan — The youngest in the crowd- an 8-month old baby- is seen with her mother in Selection Square. (Aishwarya Kumar/MEDILL)

Rams mascot — The Los Angeles Rams’ mascot dances to some tunes during day three of the NFL Draft. (Aishwarya Kumar/MEDILL)

Bears picks — The Chicago Bears picked six players on the final day of the 2016 NFL Draft. (Aishwarya Kumar/MEDILL)

Mr. Irrelevant — The Titans select Kalan Reed, cornerback from Southern Mississippi, making him Mr. Irrelevant 2016. (Aishwarya Kumar/MEDILL)

The 2016 NFL Draft gave Chicago everything: sports, fun and glamor. (Hannah Gebresilassie and Aishwarya Kumar/MEDILL)