The news obviously grabbed people’s attention, because it really highlighted the spectacle that is the NFL Draft. Televising seven rounds of players being selected into the league isn’t enough, there has to be some excitement. So naturally people wanted to see how exactly a parrot would announce a player being selected.
Even PETA got involved saying, “…these unique, intelligent birds are at risk for stress and injuries when they’re used in stunts like this one, and mishaps can even cause death."
NFL DRAFT: The 5 best (and worst) value picks from Round 1
Well, the 4th round came, and the parrot, named Zsa Zsa, didn’t even announce the pick. It just sat on a person’s shoulder while they made the pick.
This was clearly a huge let down for everyone tuning in to watch, and people were not happy about it.
Reaction to the Bucs’ parrot
Why didn’t the parrot talk?
Well, it turns out the parrot wasn’t never actually supposed to talk. The parrot’s role in the pick was to deliver the name, written inside of a card, from one part of the stadium to the pirate ship located inside of Raymond James Stadium.
Greg Auman from the Tampa Bay Times clarifies:
Still, we’re all very disappointed with what occurred today.
