Date(s) April 29–30, 1986 | TV coverage (US) ESPN | |
Location New York Marriott Marquis
in New York City, NY First selection Bo Jackson, RB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mr. Irrelevant Mike Travis, DB
San Diego Chargers Most selections (17) Cincinnati Bengals,
San Diego Chargers | ||
The 1986 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 29–30, 1986, at the Marriot Marquis in New York City, New York. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season.
The first overall selection, Bo Jackson, had told the Buccaneers prior to the draft that he would refuse to sign with the team. Disputes with team owner Hugh Culverhouse intensified after Jackson was ruled ineligible to play college baseball due to a trip he took with Culverhouse. It was said that Jackson, who was having what he called his best year playing baseball in school, made the Buccaneers nervous and that by getting him somehow ruled ineligible to play baseball, he would be forced to focus on football. Prior to the 1987 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers forfeited their rights to Jackson.
Hall of Famers
Charles Haley was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.