Mel Kiper has been a mainstay of the NFL Draft broadcast for the better part of 40 years. But while he intends to participate in analyzing this year’s Draft Day, he won’t be doing so on the ESPN set.
Taking to Twitter, Kiper released a statement announcing that he will be participating at his in-home studio this year. He said that he is unvaccinated and cannot participate at the live event in Las Vegas.
Kiper thanked his ESPN and NFL colleagues for their support and flexibility. He added that he’s looking forward to the 2022 NFL Draft next week.
NFL fans aren’t letting Kiper off the hook for his vaccination decision though. Some are having a nice laugh, pointing out that his own draft stock is probably going to drop because of it:
Well, this is gonna cause Mel to fall out of the top 10 in the first round. Might even become a day 2 pick..🤣 https://t.co/a9DFLG66vP
— SportsConvos (@Sportsfan7771) April 18, 2022
I may have to remove you off my draft Board https://t.co/auOdsSeowx
— Marlon (@ItsRaineyDoe) April 18, 2022
Shocked That someone who missed on Ryan Leaf, Jimmy Clausen and Jamarcus Russell doesn’t have sound judgement https://t.co/j5yWquH1Bh
— Tweets Made in Haste (@HastyTwee) April 18, 2022
Other fans were a bit disappointed that Mel Kiper won’t be on the set since he’s been such an integral part of Draft Day for decades. But they were happy enough that he’ll still be a part of the broadcast in his own way:
Wow. This is gonna feel weird – VERY weird. Been watching Mel on TV at the Draft for decades. #NFLDraft #NFL https://t.co/JyByt2GfOl
— Justin LaSalata (@justinlasalata) April 18, 2022
Very well put by Mel here, favorite part of draft weekend is seeing him and am glad he will still be apart. https://t.co/f97LUemz0G
— Andrew Harbaugh 🇺🇦 (@MandrewNFL) April 18, 2022
Kiper’s absence will be a national reminder that that COVID-19 pandemic isn’t quite over yet. Until it is, a lot of people will be unable to do some of the things they love.
The sooner the pandemic ends, the sooner we can start seeing Mel Kiper Jr. on set during Draft Day.
The post Mel Kiper Announces NFL Draft Decision: Fans React appeared first on The Spun.