During the draft this year, some other announcer on TV set with Kiper on national TV said Mel Kiper should be in the Hall of Fame. Kiper was sitting there, and was sort of surprised. but everyone on the set realized "yes, he is right, Kiper should be!!".
I never thought of it before, but KIPER SHOULD BE IN THE HALL OF FAME!
He may have been in the right place at the right time in 1980 or so (I started going to the draft in 1973 in NYC),
but Mel Kiper's efforts over the year were the key catalyst to creating what the draft is today: a major sporting event.
I think I first ordered his famous blue book of draftees in 1980 (appx). I'd call up his house and his wife Kim would answer, and we'd
chat, and I'd order it. They'd ship it to me. It was great. (Now Joel Buschbaum (sp?) was the first expert/publication, and the Marasco brothers I believe, in
the old paper "Pro Football Weekly existed. Ourlads has been around also).
But Kiper re-defined the draft with his national TV appearances on ESPN.
This is not a Ram's blog note--sorry--but for all those fans who love the draft.... get on board the bus....we owe Mel a big thank you.
Mel Kiper for Hall of Fame!!
