The NFL Draft Sparkled In Detroit… Except For This One Thing
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 27: Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer takes the stage during round four of the 2024 NFL draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza
What can I say? The NFL Draft was a huge success and made Detroit look great on the national stage. From police officers and emergency responders to local politicians, vendors, TV crews, clean-up crews, and on and on, the city sparkled as people from around the country and the world came to the Motor City to watch their favorite teams build for the future.
Local restaurants were hoping. People around the planet said nice things about our city, much of which we already knew, but it was nice to have someone else toot our horn for once. Even going back to the Superbowl we hosted years ago, we all know that Detroit is a city that can pull off any event and make it special.
Parking For the NFL Draft Was Pricey
Here’s the part that gets me. Whenever we have a lot of people heading downtown, the prices to park go through the roof. $100 to rent a piece of asphalt for the day? Are you kidding me?
I have to admit that I’m a little torn. One side of me says it’s their lot; they can charge what they want. The other side says that gouging someone for parking makes us look bad. Pre-pandemic, a $40 or $50 spot was considered outrageous. How much longer until we see the $125 or $150 spot? Maybe you saw that this past week.
Then, I saw people’s cars getting towed for street parking. I know there were signs saying Do Not Park, but some folks thought they’d take a chance and hope they didn’t get a ticket. Think about it like this….you’re in Detroit to watch your team draft the next star, and then you have to get your car out of impound. UGH!
This is hardly a Detroit thing, but it’s just something that made me feel like posting after a great week downtown.
The Detroit Red Wings vs. New York Rangers Alumni Recap
It was another great game between the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers alumni at the Big Boy Arena in Fraser. In the end, the Wings won, but the true victors were the cause they played for, the GH Pastor Foundation, and the sled hockey players who played before the big game.
Former Detroit Red Wing Vladimir Konstatinov Returned to the Ice
First, to the sled hockey game. What a thrill it was to see these determined athletes take to the ice and give the fans a great look at sled hockey, highlighted by the return to the ice for #16, Vladimir Konstatinov! I had never really had a chance to see the game played, and let me tell you, it was very inspiring the way these kids play and love the game.
As for the alumni game, I had the good fortune of once again being part of the broadcast team, which included Ben Holden, Sean Beligian, Nick Monicelli from WDIV, and the Prep TV crew led by Chad Bush. I was stationed between the benches and interviewed players throughout the game.
The game was off and running after the lovely Karen Newman sang the Canadian and American anthems. Drew Miller, Darren McCarty, and Patrick Eaves’ multiple-goal game was the leading factor in the Red Wings’ 10-7 victory in front of a great crowd of hockey fans in Fraser who were there to see their hockey heroes battle it out on the ice.
A big thank you to those who put on this unbelievable game. All in attendance thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you to the players who agreed to talk with me during the game…Johnny O, Dino Ciccarelli, Ron Duguay, Jason Woolley, Chris Tamer and Drew Miller. And a big thank you to Detroit Red Wings photographer Dave Reginek for using the pictures you’re about to see.
Until next time, Hockey fans!
Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history.
Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.