The only thing more Detroit than hometown heroes the Lions is D-town legend Eminem. So it was fitting that on the first night of the 2024 NFL Draft at an absolutely jam-packed Hart Plaza on Thursday (April 25), Slim Shady was on hand to help kick off the proceedings. The reclusive hip-hop icon took the stage alongside NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to open the prime-time proceedings that aired on the NFL Network and ESPN, with both men walking onto the massive, neon-lit stage to the strains of Em’s 2010 hit “Not Afraid.”
Marshall looked absolutely jacked as he made his way out, pumping his arms and appearing to shout as he strutted to center stage wearing a black Lions hoodie and 2024 playoff hat, punching his chest and waving his fist in front of a throng of 275,000. Before they hyped the crowd, though, Shady and Goodell appeared in a 90-second filmed bit in which the commish practiced his introductory speech, with beloved Lions running back Barry Sanders asking if he was nervous and wondering what was on the boss’ sweater.
“Mom’s spaghetti,” they said in tandem as a series of Lions greats debated who should join him on stage. “We only have one shot to nail this, one shot,” Goodell said urgently, in yet another Eminem reference. Cue a lurking Shady, who popped up from behind a magazine to razz Goodell with the pointed reminder of fans’ traditional greeting for him: “you know you’re still gonna get booed right?,” Marshall asked.
“I’m not afraid,” Goodell assured him, tripling down on the Eminem references. “I’m afraid for you.” The pair then were seen slow-walking to the stage as Em asked what the plan was. “Two words: rap battle,” Goodell said as the rapper looked on in confusion.
After the traditional Goodell boos indeed rained down like a monsoon, Eminem shouted, “Detroit, what up! It’s here! Make some noise for the Detroit Lions,” as he welcomed current team stars Aidan Hutchinson, Amon-Ra St. Brown and quarterback Jared Goff, as well as Hall of Fame veterans Sanders and Calvin Johnson to the stager amid rapturous cheers.
Watch footage from Em’s appearance below.
