Release Date: April 8,2019
NFL to honor Akron as one of its original towns during NFL100 centennial celebration
Nearly 100 years after the National Football League was born in Canton, Ohio, the NFL is celebrating the communities that were home to the 14 teams of its inaugural season—including the city of Akron. The initiative is part of ‘NFL100,’ a year-long commemoration of its centennial season. This year, Akron is one of the eight “Original Towns” outside of the 32 current NFL markets that will announce a pick via live telecast. Akron will be hosting an interactive Draft Day Family Football Experience on April 27, at Lock 3, leading up to a live 6th round draft pick.
“There’s no better way to bring the League’s hundred years of history full circle than to partner with these communities and recognize their important place in history as part of the NFL’s centennial celebration,” said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Akron’s hometown celebration will showcase local football history alongside fans and community leaders. The April 27 event will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Lock 3. Round 6 of the draft pick is expected to begin no later than 3:10 p.m. and end no later than 5:20 p.m. The family-friendly event will feature little league, high school and university players, live trivia, inflatables, giveaways, food vendors and more. General admission and activities are free and food will be available for purchase.
“We are thrilled with the opportunity to celebrate Akron’s important place in the history of the NFL as they start their centennial season,” Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said. “We invite the entire community down to Lock 3 for an exciting afternoon of fun, family, and football as we take place in the live draft.”
The Akron Pros were a professional football team that played in Akron from 1908 to 1926. The team was a charter member of the National Football League (initially named the American Professional Football Association). The first African American head coach in the NFL, Fritz Pollard, co-coached the Akron Pros in 1921.