The countdown to the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh continues, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell believes the Steel City is prepared to handle the spectacle.

“You are definitely ready. You know, this town knows all about football, and how to celebrate football, and that’s what it’s all about,” Goodell told TribLive news partner WTAE before the Monday Night Football game at Acrisure Stadium between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins. “This is a community I know a lot about and I can’t wait. Looking forward to it.”

Goodell, a 1981 graduate of Washington & Jefferson College, spoke about the NFL Draft during WTAE’s Black and Gold Primetime pregame special.

The NFL Draft in Pittsburgh takes place April 23-25. As many as 500,000 people are expected to attend.

“It’s going to be bigger than what you can expect,” Goodell said. “It has grown every year. We keep talking about the fact of wanting communities to do it their way, so I think there will be a lot of Yinzers and a lot of ways to celebrate the game and this community and what the Steelers mean to this community.

“I think it’s going to be a really fun weekend for everybody.”

Goodell, speaking at Acrisure Stadium, before kickoff in frigid conditions had one wish for the draft.

“I hope it will be warmer,” he said, while laughing.

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