By Luke Adeboyejo

The NFL Draft stage is more than a triumphant waltz across to embrace and shake hands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. It is a runway, and in April, rookie after rookie strutted along as if it was Paris Fashion Week. The Draft is not only about who becomes the first pick — it is about who is wearing what, and what their fit says about them before they even throw a touchdown pass or kick a field goal in a Sunday night game.

This year, from custom-tailored suits embroidered with family tributes to striking, runway-inspired streetwear, the 2025 Draft class presented themselves as a fashion force to be reckoned with. Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Chrome Hearts were among the many luxury brands featured on Thursday’s Night carpet at Lambeau Field, making a clear statement to the world. The runway is not just in Paris or Milan anymore — it is in the tunnel at MetLife, on the Draft stage in Green Bay, and on every athlete’s Instagram grid.

These are not one-off moments. Fashion has and will continue to become a major storytelling tool for athletes — especially in football. And the NFL is leaning in. In a groundbreaking move, the NFL recently hired its first in-house fashion editor, Kyle Smith.

Smith has an extensive background in the fashion industry, having worked for celebrity stylist Karla Welch and luxury brand Amiri in its public relations department. In his role as fashion editor, Smith oversees all things fashion for the NFL on both the player and league sides. He assists players in developing and showcasing their personal style, from the stadium tunnels to their social media accounts. On the league side, Smith manages the NFL’s fashion content, communications, and partnerships.

The NFL’s push these just for its own benefit. The league is also committed to helping players elevate their careers after football. Because of how impactful the sport of football is and the increased rate of injury, a player’s professional career could be over in the blink of an eye.

But this does not have to be. In early April, the NFL hosted a two-day event at Louis Vuitton North America’s recently renovated space in downtown New York. There, players had the opportunity to explore careers in retail, marketing, craftsmanship and supply chain management.

The event marks one of many that the NFL plans to host. It displayed the league’s commitment to their players’ futures post-football by offering them a glimpse of what life could be for them once they hang up their cleats.

To get a sense of how this movement is inspiring the next generation, I spoke to two rising high school seniors — one football, one basketball — who have professional aspirations, about how they view fashion and self-expression in sports today.

For Jason Miller, a senior combo guard (point and shooting guard) who has offers from schools like FAMU and Salisbury University, fashion is more than just a look — it is a lifestyle.

“Fashion matters when coming or leaving a game or traveling with the team. We get our names out just off of first impressions,” Jason said.

Like many players today, he sees himself as a personal brand.

His favorite athletes include Kyrie Irving, Kobe Bryant, and Elly De La Cruz — not necessarily for their style, but for what they represent: a strong and committed work ethic and mindset.

“My style off the court is the same way it is on the court,” Jason said. “It fits me, but it’s simple and comfortable. Nobody can match me.”

Though he doesn’t idolize any particular player’s wardrobe, he pays close attention to recent fashion trends and uses various social media sites to develop his style. If he had the chance to collaborate with a fashion brand, Jason said his dream partnerships would be with Nike, Balenciaga, Bershka, or Ralph Lauren — a reflection of his balanced taste of the vintage and the modern.

For Dominique Jones Jr., a high school football player whose position is offensive lineman, the emphasis is less on the big-name brands and more on individuality.

“Fashion means being able to express yourself without the use of words or phrases,” Dominique said. “How you come out on the field speaks a lot about how you play on it.”

He is not swayed by TikTok or Instagram trends, but he notes that he likes to observe what other athletes, both young and old, wear, and experiment with mixing and matching pieces to find what suits him best. “It’s about what truly feels like me,” Dominique said.

Though he is still awaiting his first Division 1 offer — with Alabama State on his radar — his vision is clear: to stay authentic to himself.

As the cameras stop flashing and the Draft begins to fade into highlight reels as the next season commences, one thing remains certain: Fashion is no longer a side story in sports. It is the story.

Athletes are not just preparing to compete. They are crafting narratives with every outfit, every accessory and every tunnel walk, showing the world who they are before they hit the field. If the next generation is any indication, the future of sports will be as stylish as it is competitive. Because in today’s game, it is not solely about performance.

It is about presentation.

And fashion?

That is part of the playbook now.