My Day at the Draft

Mark and me at GB. 4/26/25

I watched more of the 2025 NFL Draft than previous years because my team was hosting it with the city of Green Bay and the state of Wisconsin. Under the direction of the NFL, which has done this many times, Green Bay and the Packers put on a heck-ova show.

More than 600,000 people passed through the gates over three-days, surpassing the advance estimate of 250,000. There were 205,000 there opening night and more than 220,000 on Saturday.

If you've been to Green Bay for a Packer home-game, you've experienced traffic delays. For the draft, planners put together a map that managed to limit traffic within a few square miles of the stadium to those who lived there and draft visitors.

We had no issues or delays finding the house where we parked ($55, which was a deal). On the way home, after a few turns we were going at highway speed on Interstate 41 within Green Bay's city limits (in my experience, that doesn't happen after games).

Guests visit a dive-bar replica. 4/26/25 dwm

The plan included closing Oneida and Lombardi Streets a few blocks in each direction of the two streets meet north east of Lambeau Field. That effectively divided traffic into neighborhood quadrants. It also meant once you parked you could cross what are usually four-lanes of traffic.

Tickets to the event were free, but required. After entering the gates at the west end of Titletown, we took in the sites as we made our way around the grounds. The first stop was a newly created dive bar, where you couldn't buy beer but could bring your own to enjoy the ambience.

Click this to see a 360-degree video taken in the dive bar of the two of us cheering on the Packers.

The theater from a city-block away. 4/26/25 dwm

Before heading to the theater where future pro-football players were being chosen as the National Footsball League's 32-teams took turns picking, we visited the Packer Pro Shop to see the most Packer gear you've ever seen.

Mark came out with new Packer and draft swag then we walked toward the stage. The Packers pick in the fourth round was just ten spots away.

Unless you were a guest with seats under the roof, you stood with fans representing every team in the league standing shoulder to shoulder watching the show - which varied between musical acts, video presentations, and interviews while waiting for the next pick to be announced.

GB 4th round pick Barryn Sorrell. 4/26/25 dwm

We knew something was brewing when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell came out to announce the Packers pick, because he usually limits his introductions to the first round. When he introduced Barryn Sorrell, an edge rusher from the University of Texas, Sorrell charged the stage where he hugged the commissioner.

Then he made his way off stage and up an aisle created with fencing leading to a stage in the middle of approximately 100,000, most of them Packer fans. He did an interview then took a selfie while leading the crowd in chanting "Go Pack, Go!"

Sorrell (left in hat) greets fans. 4/26/25 dwm

It's unusual for a fourth round pick to stick around to hear his name called. Sorrell was told he might go as high as the third round, so he brought his family with him to Green Bay.

When the Packers called to let him know he was their choice with the 124th pick, he surprised them by letting them know he was in the Green Room.

After the interview he went to a news conference and met some coaches. Sorrell made a good first impression on fans. The impromptu rally was fun and the highlight of a day filled with highlights.

Larger than life SB 45 ring. 4/26/25 dwm

After the Packer's choice, we looked for something to eat. While the stadium was a backdrop for the draft and a compelling visual it also had food.

I've been in Lambeau Field for shareholder meetings and several football games and every time there is an opportunity to step inside.

Several concession stands were open, taken care of by local not-for-profit organizations. Both of us bought a brat for $13 before realizing they were foot-long bratwursts, hot and tasty.

We found seats inside the stadium where we enjoyed the place and watched kids trying to kick field goals off a tarp-covered field.

Arians sledding hill. 4/26/25

This trip was the first time I explored the area developed by the Green Bay Packers from blocks of stores and strip malls into an area known as Titletown.

It's largest feature is Arien's sledding hill. It's used for that in winter and kids can run or roll down the hill in warmer weather. It also serves as an amphitheater for summer movies. On the top of the hill you can enjoy the view while enjoying available treats and beverages.

The deck overlooks a football field that extends Titletown's park. It was busy during the draft as kids were timed in the 40-yard dash and other events.

Over three hours we explored every corner of Lambeau Field and Titletown, enjoying pomp and pageantry while former college players waited to hear their name called.

Given the apparent success of bringing the draft to Green Bay, maybe there is a chance for the event to return.

I'm glad we made the trip to Green Bay to check out the draft and the other stuff happening across the Lambeau Field campus. It was likely a once-in-a-lifetime event for me and it met every expectation. Here are more pictures from a day of fun in the sun.