The NFL will hold a Combine Experience fan event in conjunction with the annual scouting combine in which people who "register online will have access to news conferences with prospects and be able to watch the Bench Press event," according to Jordan Wilson of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. The free event, which will take place inside the Indiana Convention Center from March 2-5, also "offers interactive games, youth football clinics, photo opportunities with iconic pieces of NFL history and an autograph session with NFL Legends." Other activities "include the opportunity for fans to measure their football and athletic abilities against those of NFL players in a variety of drills, such as the 40-yard dash, 3-cone drill, broad jump and vertical jump." Fans can also "practice running routes toward the end zone and catch balls from the JUGS machine to simulate their very own touchdown catch." Attendees will be able to view an NFL game "using virtual reality technologies that include in-game highlights." The Combine Experience will "not include access to the drills and evaluations taking place inside Lucas Oil Stadium." NFL Senior VP/Events Peter O'Reilly said that the league is "hoping to draw 100,000 fans for the four-day fan festival" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 12/20). ESPN.com's Darren Rovell noted the NFL "opened the application process for free tickets to the event on its Fan Mobile Pass app and on NFL.com" yesterday morning. A total of 6,000 non-transferable tickets will be "handed out for the combine," which is "part of the league's larger goal to make more out of its out-of-season events" (ESPN.com, 12/20).
