If you thought the NFL's commitment to pageantry would be stifled because the NFL Draft was moved to a virtual environment, then you probably spent the first 15 minutes of the event in quite a surprised state. Roger Goodell, broadcasting live from his basement, kicked things off with some supportive words to first responders treating people fighting the coronavirus, a request to donate to an NFL charity and a moment of silence.
Most surprising, however, was another novel approach for the NFL Draft: a virtual singing of the national anthem. While the tune is usually found at the beginning of actual live games, a rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" is actually normally performed before the NFL Draft, and has been since 2015. This year it was sung by Harry Conick Jr.
The great @HarryConnickJR helps kick things off with the National Anthem!
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 24, 2020
📺: 2020 #NFLDraft starts TONIGHT at on NFLN/ESPN/ABC#SaintsDraft pic.twitter.com/A17CK92PgN
It seems that the NFL wanted to keep things familiar for fans, so just like the Super Bowl, it seems that this rendition of the anthem was pre-recorded. After his performance, Connick Jr. took the time to give a few words of encouragement to the hospital workers who are helping battle this novel respiratory disease.
The performance is a perfect embodiment of everything we should expect to see all weekend: recognizable NFL Draft sights that feels slightly off given the circumstances.