Todd McShay opened up about how difficult it was to miss out on ESPN’s 2020 NFL Draft coverage last month as he was battling the coronavirus.
“It got really dark in the hospital,” the longtime draft analyst said on Adam Schefter’s podcast Wednesday. “I knew the draft was going on and I couldn’t watch it. I didn’t watch the draft until Saturday night. I woke up late that night and there was a re-air and I started watching it then because I knew it was over.
“For whatever reason, I couldn’t watch the draft knowing that I wasn’t a part of it, wasn’t on it, and I felt like I was letting everyone down.”
The 43-year-old said he has been quarantined from his kids since April 1, but reunited with them on Wednesday night. The draft took place from April 23-25. Prior to the first round, McShay announced he wouldn’t be working the draft on Twitter.
“I’m so sorry to tell you I won’t be working the NFL Draft this year,” McShay, who has been a football analyst for ESPN since 2006 and part of the NFL Draft telecasts since 2009, wrote. “I’m home recovering from coronavirus.
“I also want to assure you I’ll be back. Thanks to the tireless work of healthcare workers and first responders. You are truly our nation’s heroes.”
ESPN’s makeshift coverage of the event was mostly celebrated amid record ratings for the three-day event.