JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When Roger Goodell went on stage to announce that the Jacksonville Jaguars selected quarterback Trevor Lawrence as the first overall pick in the draft, the team’s biggest fan was right there over the NFL commissioner’s shoulder.
As millions of people watched, Danika Mitchell even got to sit in the commissioner’s chair!
During each pick tonight, a vaccinated fan from each team will get the chance to sit in @nflcommish's chair on stage!
— NFL (@NFL) April 30, 2021
📺: :2021 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/fF6olKVskc
“It was like having an out-of-body experience,” Mitchell said. “I thought I would get some camera time, pre-shots and what not, never in a million years did I think I would go up on stage to shake hands with the commissioner.”
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The Jaguars fan of the year was confident that Lawrence would become a Jaguars player, but she got some reassurance from the commissioner before his name was announced.
“It was such a relief and he showed me the card right before and said, ‘Is this what you wanted? You guys good with this?’ And I’m like, yeah. We’re good,” Mitchell said.
While sporting her Jags gear and teal lipstick in Cleveland, her love for the team wasn’t going unnoticed.
“The best part has been walking around Cleveland and everybody recognized me, kids coming up to me,” Mitchell said. “It’s been such a great feeling. It’s been so fantastic being here.”
With a new quarterback and a new coach, Mitchell said the Jaguars will be the team to beat.
“I think for the next 15 years, Duval will be something to fear,” she said. “Fear the teal.”