NFL Draft reaches capacity with 125,000+ in attendance

GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- The campus around Lambeau Field reached capacity less than an hour before selections began Thursday night.

League commissioner Roger Goodell announced that more than 125,000 people were in attendance. For comparison, the puts the city of Green Bay's population at 105,744.

In a sea of football fans parked in front of the NFL Draft stage, 11-year-old Cam Ruetz of Whitefish Bay had a plan for seeing the action.

"Probably having my dad lift me up so I can see," he said.

He was also ready in case any fans wearing the wrong colors got in his way.

"There's a lot of Bears fans. Bears suck. Same with the Vikings," he said.

One thing everyone by the stage had in common, they were thankful they arrived when they did.

Thousands of fans wanting were on the outside looking in.

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"It's rough," said Chad Shulfer of Green Bay. "We got a lot of people coming from out of town. Unfortunately we were not able to get too close.

Some fans even watched the draft on their phone, waiting for gates to reopen.

"I'm not much for crowds so it's time with me to be honest," said Bryan Ludwikoski of Madison.

Inside, the atmosphere was about what you'd expect.

"The 'Go Pack Go,' 'the Bears still suck,' you can't beat it," said Greg Frey of Colgate.

"The Packers are representing," said Stephanie McIntyre of Suamico.

The gates did reopen at about 7:40 p.m.

This isn't new as the capacity to the theater area also was briefly reached last year in Detroit and the year before in Kansas City.

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