Behind The ScenesNFL
As NFL Draft in Philly approaches, ESPN commentators tout love for the city
Former Eagles offensive coordinator Jon Gruden (Photo courtesy of the Philadephia Eagles)
2006: Monday Night Football – Suzy Kolber interviews then-Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. (Rich Arden/ESPN Images)
Kevin Negandhi with his wife Monica and their three kids at a Phillies game. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Negandhi/ESPN)
Sal Paolantonio (Don Juan Moore/ESPN Images)
Legendary Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski (Photo courtesy of the Philadephia Eagles)
Former Eagles defensive back Herm Edwards (Photo courtesy of the Philadephia Eagles)
2006: Former Eagles team president Joe Banner (Photo courtesy of the Philadephia Eagles)
2011 – Former Eagles front office staffer Louis Riddick (Photo courtesy of the Philadephia Eagles)
Former Eagles defensive lineman Mike Golic (Photo courtesy of the Philadephia Eagles)
The 2017 NFL Draft moves to a new location this year: Philadelphia, Pa.
ESPN’s three-day draft telecast (Thursday-Saturday) will originate from outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art, just a screen pass from the museum steps that Rocky Balboa made famous.
The new destination is a perfect fit considering the many connections that ESPN’s commentators and NFL experts have to the City of Brotherly Love, including native Philadelphians and plenty of former Eagles players and front office staff.
As a preview to NFL Draft Week, Front Row asked some of Philly’s finest to share their favorite place to eat or visit in this great American city.
Other ESPN commentators with Philly ties
- Joe Banner, NFL Insider — Philadelphia Eagles team president from 1995–2012.
- Adam Caplan, NFL Insider — Grew up in Cheltenham, Pa., and currently lives in Malvern, Pa.
- Herm Edwards, NFL analyst — Philadelphia Eagles defensive back from 1977–1985.
- Mike Golic, ESPN Radio host — Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman from 1987–1992.
- Jon Gruden, NFL analyst — Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator from 1995–1999.
- Ron Jaworski, NFL analyst — Philadelphia Eagles quarterback from 1977–1986. Co-owner of the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul. He lives in South Jersey.
- Donovan McNabb, ESPN Radio host — Philadelphia Eagles quarterback from 1999–2009 and the No. 2 overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft.
- Stephen A. Smith, First Take host — Worked at the Philadelphia Inquirer for 16 years (1994-2010).
- Trey Wingo, NFL host — Worked as a sports anchor/reporter for WFMZ-TV in Allentown, Pa., early in his career.
