Roger Goodell deflects boos alongside Eminem at 2024 NFL Draft by bringing host city Detroit’s favorite son on stage along with Lions greats Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson, and Aidan Hutchinson
Roger Goodell fended off the boos from the NFL Draft crowd in Detroit by bringing out favorite hometown rapper Eminem.
Goodell walked onstage alone to Eminem’s hit “Not Afraid” and received his usual boos from the crowd.
However, the cheers quickly turned to jeers when the 51-year-old rapper appeared seconds later and drove the crowd wild.
Eminem patted his chest as he said, “Make some noise for the Detroit Lions, let’s go!”
The pair were then joined on stage by Lions legends Calvin Johnson and Barry Sanders.
Eminem took the stage with Roger Goodell before the start of the NFL Draft
Wearing a Lions hoodie, the rapper pumped up the crowd of Lions fans before the first pick
Eminem and Goodell were soon joined by (from left) Calvin Johnson, Jared Goff, Aidan Hutchinson and Amon-Ra St. Brown
Current Lions stars Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Aidan Hutchinson also took the stage as Brown began encouraging the crowd to chant Goff’s name.
The joint entrance of Eminem and Goodell was immediately preceded by a video intro featuring the pairin which the rapper joked about the commissioner being booed.
The Lions finished last season with their best record since 1991, when they went 12-5 and won the NFC North for the first time.
Eminem – real name Marshall Mathers – grew up in the suburbs of Detroit and is one of the Lions’ prominent supporters.
During the 2023 NFL playoffs, Eminem was in the stands at Levi’s Stadium when he was caught giving a double middle finger to 49ers fans.
They ultimately fell to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.