On This Day

NFL Draft: University of Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long first pick by Miami Dolphins

The 1997 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting.

The 1997 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 19–20, 1997, at the Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. No teams chose to claim any players in the supplemental draft that year.

This draft was notable for its high-profile offensive linemen. The first overall selection was Orlando Pace, who appeared in seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 2000 to 2006 and was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2016. Tarik Glenn was selected 19th overall and was also named to three Pro Bowls.

Historical Significance

The 1997 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players.

Events Before

  1. Adam Air Flight 574 disappears over Indonesia with 102 people on board

    Adam Air Flight 574 disappears over Indonesia with 102 people on board

  2. Bulgarian, Romanian, and Irish become official languages of the European Union, joining 20 other official languages

    On 1 January 2007, Bulgaria and Romania became member states of the European Union (EU) in the fifth wave of EU enlargement. Bulgaria and Romania did not have a referendum related to European Union…

  3. The 110th United States Congress convenes and elects Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House

    Nancy Patricia Pelosi ( pə-LOH-see; née D'Alesandro; born March 26, 1940) is an American politician who was the 52nd speaker of the United States House of Representatives, serving from 2007 to 2011...

  4. Apple CEO Steve Jobs announces the iPhone

    Steven Paul Jobs (February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011) was an American businessman, co-inventor, and investor.

  5. "Married ... With Children" actor David Faustino (32) divorces actress Andrea Elmer Faustino (31) due to irreconcilable

    "Married ... With Children" actor David Faustino (32) divorces actress Andrea Elmer Faustino (31) due to irreconcilable differences after 3 years of marriage

Events After

  1. 67 people die and 222 are injured in a nightclub fire at Santika Club in Bangkok, Thailand

    A fireworks accident and nightclub fire occurred on 1 January 2009 in the Santika Club in Ekkamai, Watthana, Bangkok, where New Year celebrations were taking place.

  2. Cristiano Ronaldo is awarded the FIFA World Player of the Year for the first time at a ceremony in Zürich

    Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, nicknamed CR7, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team.

  3. Chesley Sullenberger lands US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in NY

    Chesley Sullenberger lands US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in NYC. All passengers and crew survive in what becomes known as the "Miracle on the Hudson."

  4. Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the

    Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the office. Joe Biden becomes the 47th Vice President.

  5. International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes ag

    International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, becoming the first sitting head of state to be indicted

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 26, 2008?
The 1997 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 19–20, 1997, at the Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
Why is NFL Draft: University of Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long first pick by Mi... significant?
The 1997 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players.

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