Can't Wait For Saturday Thirty years later, Hardy-Rice draft remains the high point for Illinois

Apr. 23—***

When Kevin Hardy and Simeon Rice were picked second (Jaguars) and third (Cardinals) in the 1996 NFL draft, I had a front-row seat.

Actually, a few rows back at the press area in the Paramount Theatre at New York's Madison Square Garden.

That I was even there was a long shot. A few days before the event on April 20-21, then-N-G editor John Beck asked if we were considering sending a reporter to cover what would be a historic draft for Illinois.

I don't remember the particulars, but I was given the assignment and made quick arrangements to fly to New York.

Which airport? That's where it gets a little hazy. Logic would tell me Newark, but I have a vague memory of LaGuardia. Not sure if there were any stops on the way.

To make the trip cost-effective, I found a motel in New Jersey, not far from the venue.

The day before the draft, I took a cab from my motel to where the players were staying, not a motel. A quick note about the cab driver, let's call him "Tony." He gave me his card and ended up driving me back and forth to the city multiple times. I appreciated his help.

On Friday, I first talked with Hardy (for about 30 minutes) and hung out with Rice (for a few hours). Along with the Final Fours and the Rose Bowl, that draft remains one of my favorite assignment at The News-Gazette.

On draft day, I arrived very early. Good thing. I was barely settled in my seat when commissioner Paul Tagliabue called Hardy and Rice on consecutive picks. The draft started late morning, so I had oodles of time to write my stories for the Sunday edition.

I had gotten to know both players during their careers and I remember how excited and grateful they both were when their names were called.

My story almost didn't make it into the paper. I was using an old Radio Shack laptop that had seen better days. When my power supply didn't work, I had to find someone in the press room with the same system. Luckily, one reporter from New Jersey helped me out and the story made it in the paper.

You'd think I would have bought a T-shirt to commemorate the event or some other souvenir, But the only thing I have is a small radio that was handed out as folk entered the building.

I have been back to the draft since, watching Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon get selected fifth by Seattle in 2023. That was cool and he has turned out to be one of the team's stars.

But it is difficult to imagine a more consequential draft for Illinois than the 1996 model.