Detroit Lions Legends Lomas Brown and Jason Hanson entered the NFL as high draft picks but with very little fanfare and impact on TV ratings.
Both can only imagine what it would be like if they could re-start their careers and join the festivities in the 2024 NFL Draft that will be held at Campus Martius in downtown Detroit.
Brown and Hanson represented the Lions at what was called "The Official Launch" of the 2024 draft in a lively ceremony on the Campus Martius site Thursday afternoon.
"I think it would be awesome," Brown said. "It's going to give us two years to prepare. We're going to put on a show.
"People don't see how Detroit throws a party. They're going to be impressed. With all the natural resources we have around here ... there's so much to do.
"Everyone's going to see what a great sports region this is. I can't wait. I don't know why I'm so excited, but I am."
View photos of the top linebacker prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft.
FILE - Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean celebrates after sacking Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. Dean was selected to The Associated Press All-SEC team in results released Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) dives to tackle Auburn running back Tank Bigsby during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) tackled Kentucky running back Asim Rose Jr. (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Oct. 31, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Alabama linebacker Christian Harris (8) stops Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) for a gain of one yard during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Alabama linebacker Christian Harris (8) lines up against Mercer during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Christian Harris (8) tackles Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. Alabama beat Notre Dame 31-14. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Georgia linebacker Quay Walker blocks a pass by Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Georgia linebacker Quay Walker plays against Vanderbilt during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) is sacked by Georgia linebacker Quay Walker (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) looks on in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Oregon State quarterback Chance Nolan (10) loses the ball as he is sacked by Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd (20) tackles Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Montana State linebacker Troy Andersen calls out orders before a South Dakota State snap during a NCAA college football game in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Bozeman, Mont. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)
Montana State quarterback Chris Murray (8) hands the ball to running back Troy Andersen (15) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Montana State running back Troy Andersen (15) breaks a tackle by Washington State defensive lineman Nnamdi Oguayo (30) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
The draft itself has become big business in recent years. There was talk Thursday of Detroit hosting a 2024 draft that potentially could exceed the 600,000 fans who attended the 2019 draft in Nashville.
Hanson spoke of the fan reaction the players and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell get when the players' names are called on draft day and they walk out on the stage to be embraced by Goodell.
"You walk out, and they're booing or they're cheering," Hanson said. "The reaction the Detroit fans will give them will be great -- for better or worse.
"It's all part of the moment of stepping into the big time of the NFL."
Brown was one of the top offensive linemen when he was drafted in the first round and sixth overall out of Florida in 1985.
Hanson was drafted in the second round and 56th overall out of Washington State in 1992. Brown played 18 seasons, the first 11 with the Lions, and made seven Pro Bowls.
View photos of new Lions S DeShon Elliott
Baltimore Ravens safety DeShon Elliott (32) looks on before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens free safety DeShon Elliott (32) takes down Washington Football Team running back J.D. McKissic (41) during an NFL match against the Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Football Team , Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz (11) tries to get past Baltimore Ravens' DeShon Elliott (32) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland (26) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens free safety DeShon Elliott (32) during the first half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 in Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 19-14. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is wrapped up by Baltimore Ravens safety DeShon Elliott (32) and defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during an NFL game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Baltimore. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 28-24. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) runs after the catch in front of Baltimore Ravens free safety DeShon Elliott (32) during an NFL football game, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Baltimore. Baltimore won 34-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Baltimore Ravens free safety DeShon Elliott reacts after a sack of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Baltimore Ravens free safety DeShon Elliott (32) warms up before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept.20, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Baltimore Ravens defensive back DeShon Elliott (32) gestures during the first half of a NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Baltimore Ravens safety DeShon Elliott plays during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Baltimore Ravens free safety DeShon Elliott, left, tackles New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman (22) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Baltimore. Elliott was hurt on the play and left the field with trainers. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard, right, runs against Baltimore Ravens safety DeShon Elliott during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) carries the ball as Baltimore Ravens free safety DeShon Elliott (32) makes a tackle during an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Baltimore. Kansas City won 34-20. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) is tackled just shy of the goal line by Baltimore Ravens defensive back DeShon Elliott (32) during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Baltimore. Landry, who did not return to the game after that play, remains in concussion protocol following the game in which he caught eight passes for a career-high 167 yards in Sunday's 40-25 victory. Coach Freddie Kitchens said Thursday that Landry is still out, and it's not yet known if he'll be available Monday night when the Browns (2-2) visit the San Francisco 49ers (3-0). Landry has also been returning punts this season. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs with the ball against Baltimore Ravens free safety DeShon Elliott (32) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is sacked by Baltimore Ravens free safety DeShon Elliott (32) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens defensive back DeShon Elliott catches the football as he warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs during a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Ravens, 33-28. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, left, is stopped short of the goal line by Baltimore Ravens free safety DeShon Elliott (32) and cornerback Marlon Humphrey during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens safety DeShon Elliott (32) reacts after his fumble recovery against the New Orleans Saints, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021 in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Saints 17-14. (Kathryn Riley via AP)
Hanson played 21 seasons, all as a Lion, and was one of the most prolific kickers in NFL history.
Both were TV spectators on draft day.
"I was in my parents' basement in Spokane," Hanson said.
Brown had a similar view in Miami.
"I was in my living room with my parents and my oldest daughter," Brown said.
"Just me and the family."
