2020 NFL Draft's Draft-A-Thon to raise funds for COVID-19 relief at national and local levels

[Miles]

This year's draft, obviously, will be unlike any other in NFL history.


The outbreak of COVID-19 has reshaped the draft process completely, and the televised draft itself will look much different. That begins with the inclusion of a Draft-A-Thon fundraiser throughout the seven rounds to benefit those affected by the novel coronavirus epidemic.


"When it became clear that this draft is going to have a different look and feel, we started to think, 'Really, what is the best way for the NFL, in this moment, to continue to bring people together and unify in such an unprecedented time?'" said Anna Isaacson, the NFL's senior vice president of social responsibility, "and really say, 'Let's use our platform, let's use this moment in time to give back, to raise funds, to raise even more awareness, to really use our platform for good.' So that's really where the Draft-A-Thon was really born."


The fundraiser, which will be promoted throughout the draft on each of the broadcasts on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network, will also be heavily promoted through a multi-person video chat host on the NFL's digital properties and will feature celebrities, football legends, other influencers and health-care workers. Rich Eisen and Deion Sanders will host the event, and Kevin Hart, Quavo, Toni Harris and Kane Brown will be among the guests.


Draft-A-Thon will allocate funds to six national charities and their local chapters: the American Red Cross, the CDC Foundation, Feeding America, Meals on Wheels, the Salvation Army and United Way. Half of the total money raised will go to the national organizations to be distributed across the country wherever the funds are needed most.


The other half, Isaacson said, will be directed to local chapters of those organizations as decided by each NFL team. The Broncos have decided that their portion will benefit Mile High United Way and be earmarked for the Colorado COVID Relief Fund.


"Our ask is simple: If you can give, give. If you can't, that's OK," Isaacson said. "Use the Draft-A-Thon, use the draft as a moment in time, hopefully a little moment of levity and as a break from all the terrible things that are going on around us. If you can give a dollar, great. If you can give more, that's great as well."


If you're already eager to donate to the fund, please visit nfl.com/relief.