Playing the role -- Tech's Akers helped make NFL Draft a success
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The lights beamed down on the stage standing on Nashville’s riverfront. As Anthony Akers stood there, the neon lights of Broadway and the Nashville skyline greeted him. As he made his way across the stage, the Tennessee Tech senior followed the predetermined path – handshake and hug from National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell – or, in this case, his dress rehearsal stand-in – held up the jersey and basked in the moment. While he wasn’t one of the players that was being drafted over the course of the weekend, Akers played a vital role in the 2019 NFL Draft, helping event organizers put on a show that thrilled football fans across the country. His effort wasn’t out of a class assignment or an internship – he sought it out.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The lights beamed down on the stage standing on Nashville's riverfront. As Anthony Akers stood there, the neon lights of Broadway and the Nashville skyline greeted him.
As he made his way across the stage, the Tennessee Tech senior followed the predetermined path – handshake and hug from National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell – or, in this case, his dress rehearsal stand-in – held up the jersey and basked in the moment.
While he wasn't one of the players that was being drafted over the course of the weekend, Akers played a vital role in the 2019 NFL Draft, helping event organizers put on a show that thrilled football fans across the country.
His effort wasn't out of a class assignment or an internship – he sought it out.
"So my little brother's best friend's uncle is the executive vice president of Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment and they produced the NFL Draft, the Super Bowl, the U.S. Open, the Olympics, the NBA Finals, the Kentucky Derby – they do all kinds of professional sporting events," Akers said. "I called him and they said they had a spot for me if I wanted it and help out. It was very convenient for me since the event was is Nashville, so I cleared my schedule for that weekend. I was ready to go."
And as his duties started, it was the typical, mundane tasks.
"Leading up to it, they were working for a week in advance," Akers said. "I started working on that Wednesday and I was basically just operations assistance, doing everything from going to the grocery store to get snacks for everybody to taking out the trash and stuff like that.
"But that was really cool, because I saw how everything was set up there. They had this trailer park setup with the control room, the engineers, the utility crews – just about everyone who had anything to do with the event. I got to go in there and see the real behind-the-scenes stuff."
Then, as the weekend wore on, the responsibilities grew, providing the Murfreesboro native plenty of cool memories.
"On Thursday, I was on the stage, doing a lot of behind-the-scenes tasks," Akers said. "When the coaches were there and got announced, we had to line them up in alphabetical order. Then we had to line the players up in alphabetical order. As the coaches walked across the stage, I had to get them to follow me. It was the logistics of getting them around the stage.
"Friday, the NFL legends were there to introduce the picks. I was actually the last guy they talked to before they walked on the stage. I'd introduce myself and talk to them with (the NFL Network's) Michael Irvin or Colleen Wolf afterward after they announced the pick. That was probably one of the coolest parts. I shook hands with Reggie Wayne right before he went out there and talking trash to the Titans' fans, same with Pat McAfee. I met Rayfield Wright, Jackie Slater, Orlando Pace, Kam Chancellor, Jurrell Casey – just legends. That was pretty cool."
Akers continued, "Saturday, Scott Hanson came and he was the live host for the day, because all the picks that day were all on remote. I helped him out on stage, got gifts from backstage for him to pass out. It was really a lot of fun too, because I got to be a bit more interactive on the stage with him and with the crowd as well."
Dealing with the legends on Friday, Akers had the opportunity to hear some stories and joke around with some of the biggest names in attendance, but one moment really stood out.
"Jackie Slater was awesome," Akers said. "What happened was I said, "Hi, I'm Anthony, nice to meet you. Would you like to do an interview after you make your pick?" He's like, "Yeah, yeah, I'll do it." I went to talk to someone else and he taps me on my shoulder asking about his pocket square.
"'Does this look good?' And I'm like this guy is asking me? He's been wearing suits longer than I've been alive and he's the one asking me! I thought that was pretty cool."
For Akers though, the coolest moment may have been the night before the event happened for real as they held a walkthrough to make sure it was perfect.
"They rehearse the first pick to make sure all the cameras are following the right way and the band and the DJs are set and make sure everything is in sync," Akers said. "They needed a stand-in for the first draft pick, so I got to do that.
"It was pretty cool. How it happened was that I was sitting in the player green room and it come over the PA – 'With the first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select…' and they just made up a name. I stood up and gave a fake hug. There were three cameras zooming in on me. I walked down the carpet and up the steps. There were another five cameras in front of me. I gave the fake commissioner a hug and he gave me a fake jersey. I smiled for the camera, then smiled for the crowd because everyone was watching this. It was all down Broadway because they had it on the big screens as well."
Akers continued, "Then NFL Network called me over to test the mics and they started asking me questions and I answered them. Then I hear my answers coming out over the PA. That was just crazy to me."
Still, it may have been a dress rehearsal, but Akers got to live the life even if it was just a fleeting moment.
"The realization hit me that there are two number one draft picks each year and I was one of them."
One of the most interesting aspects of the weekend was just how everything came together in the massive production, something Akers got to see first-hand.
"It's wild," Akers said. "When I first got there, there was the edit team who's making what's going on the screens. There's another group trying to make sure all of the names are correct, the group is making the cards that goes on stage. It's funny how they have rehearsal the day before and they basically have an hour to get everything right. They're all professionals and just really good at what they do. They do all their jobs separately, then come together and it all just works."
Then to share the moment with 600,000 other football fans was awe-inspiring.
"It was a very cool sight," Akers said. "There's really no words to describe it. You just look out and there's a sea of people all the way up Broadway and it just doesn't end. Nashville's a really great city and they really showed out for that. It was better than anything I've ever been a part of."
