NFL Comes Home To Rock Island for 100th Anniversary Celebration

Nearly 100 years after the National Football League was born in Canton, Ohio, the NFL is celebrating the 13 communities, including Rock Island, IL that were home to the 14 teams of its inaugural season.

On Saturday August 27, Rock Island will host a live hometown event to announce a 2019 NFL Draft pick at the Austin E. Knowlton Athletic Complex at Augustana College, 639 38^th Street in Rock Island.

During the 2019 NFL Draft, selections from Rock Island and seven of the league’s “Original Towns” outside of the 32 current NFL markets will be made live in the telecast.

“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.

City of Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms said "We could not be more excited about the NFL Draft coming to Rock Island. There has been a lot of hard work put in to get recognized, and the NFL honoring us with a draft pick for their 100th Anniversary confirms Rock Island's status in the history of professional football."

The gates open at noon on April 27 for the free community event. There will be a Family Fun Zone featuring bounce houses, carnival games, and goodie bags for the first 150 children.

A Youth Football Skills Clinic for girls and boys will begin at 12:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required for this free clinic with limited spaces. Visit www.rockislanddraft.com to register before April 12 to guarantee a t-shirt.

Rock Island High School and Alleman High School Pep Bands and cheerleaders will be there to entertain the crowd. Food and beverage concessions will be available for purchase from Augustana College and local Bent River Brewing Company.

At 2:00 p.m. there will be a re-creation of the game that took place in September of 1920 at nearby Douglas Park in Rock Island. The Vintage Football Game will feature the Rock Island Independents vs. the St. Paul Ideals using historical uniforms and game rules.

The NFL will be broadcasting a 6th round draft pick live from Rock Island between 2:00 pm and 4:30 p.m. Event activities will break during this time so the pick can be announced live. T-shirts will be available for purchase to commemorate this event.

Get more event information at Rock Island Draft or call Rock Island Parks and Recreation at (309) 732-7275.