Submitted For Contrast Purposes: ESPN’s 1983 Draft Coverage

As we venture into the brave new world of glamorized NFL Draft coverage with red carpet fripperies and other such extravagances, let’s look back to a time when, nearly 30 years ago, when it wasn’t quite as overblown. In this two minute swatch of footage from the broadcast of the 1983 NFL Draft, we see just how far we’ve come. A big swing in the progression of production values and quality of presentation has happened, so, gone is the grainy footage, hokey graphics, spartan sets and plinky music. Those aesthetic gains, however, have regrettably been attended with a countervailing slide in the level of intelligence of the commentary. Here, Chris Berman actually speaks with a hint of seriousness and level-headedness, rather than barking theatrically for attention. But then, this was a time before he had become a caricature of his own shtick. And what’s this? A decided lack of a dozen former star players on the screen needed simply to talk vapidly for the sake of adding celebrity to the broadcast?

Obviously, ratings are important and, while maybe some at ESPN would like to be considerate of football purists not being flummoxed by gas bags and distractions, they’ve had an ever-expanding bottom line and status to consider over the years. We’ll never be able to walk back the cat to more sober presentations like what’s seen here. Not the biggest lament in the world, because, for all its increased professionalism, this looks like it would drag over the course of seven rounds. Were there a happy medium, chances are it’s been long left behind.

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