Last Saturday this time, Jordan Schwartz was waking up from what must have been a “did that really happen?” kind of week.
As the winner of Bud Light’s “Up For Whatever” contest – which he won for submitting the video above showing his Bills-outfitted apartment – Schwartz got to announce what was to be the Bills 41st overall pick, their first of the second round on Friday night.
Part of a packed three days of activities, announcing the pick was the highlight of his Bud Light behind-the-scenes draft experience that included a party with Andre Reed and other Bills and NFL alumni, tickets to the first night of the draft and a private tour of MetLife Stadium and Radio City Music Hall.
“It was a very neat seeing the production of it all, seeing the draft works every step of the way,” Schwartz said. “Bud Light did a really great job making sure everyone was enjoying the whole weekend.”
When it was almost time for his main event on Friday night, Schwartz was understandably nervous. He’d heard the first night of the draft was watched in record numbers, and to be announcing the pick with Andre Reed in front of millions in the television audience? That’s any Bills fan’s most nerve-racking dream come true.
Minutes away from stepping on stage with Reed, the Bills traded their 41st overall pick to St. Louis and moved down three slots. Though arguably the biggest Bills fan in the room, Schwartz was slotted for the 41st pick no matter what, so he announced safety LaMarcus Joyner to the Rams.
“I was nervous all day but right when I got on stage I felt comfortable,” Schwartz said. “I spotted my friends in the crowd and once I saw them I was just enjoying the experience. Once I got up there the nerves went away. It would have been much better if it was the Bills and not the Rams but it was still an awesome experience.”
After he made the announcement, he said Commissioner Goodell told him he did a great job and autographed the draft card he read from, capping off his surreal “Up For Whatever” experience.
