The Arizona Cardinals drafted Iowa State wide receiver Hakeem Butler with the 103rd overall pick first one of the 2019 NFL Draft’s fourth round Saturday. But they didn’t just announce his name.
No, the Cardinals went all in with a Wild West-themed draft announcement made from the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. Actors (and the team’s mascot) re-enacted the famous gun fight shootout from Oct. 26, 1881, which later inspired the movie Tombstone with depictions of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday.
It was ridiculous and over the top, but this is what fans have come to expect from the third day of the NFL Draft. Cheesy? Of course, but it was a great way to kick off the fourth round and final draft day.
Butler was the Cyclones’ top receiver in 2018, finishing the season with 1,318 yards (22.0 average) and nine touchdowns. He gained national recognition for creating monster plays and regularly torching opponents.
Disappointingly, the Cardinals were the only team (so far) to get dramatic and creative with their Day 3 draft picks. Where are the Avengers or goofy game or theatrics or mid-level celebrities?
The NFL Draft is long — maybe too long — and it’s not even close to the most compelling thing you can watch on TV. So by the time the third day rolls around, why not spice things up a little bit and add some quirks?
Either way, as the only team to have a little fun with it so far Saturday, bravo, Cardinals.
