Jay Berwanger, First NFL Draft Pick, Never Played Pro Game

The NFL Draft, now a major televised event with lucrative contracts for top picks, had much humbler beginnings. In 1936, the inaugural NFL Draft saw University of Chicago halfback Jay Berwanger—fresh off winning the first Heisman Trophy—selected first overall, but he never played a professional game after salary negotiations failed. Berwanger was renowned for his versatility, playing offense, defense, special teams, and even acting as his own kicker. The early drafts sharply contrasted today’s spectacle, with fewer rounds and players unaware they'd been selected, as seen with Berwanger's experience. While current top picks are guaranteed millions, Berwanger’s story highlights the modest origins of professional football and the NFL Draft’s evolution into a cultural phenomenon.