Joe Andruzzi Shows Nation 'Boston's Strong' at NFL Draft Thursday

Joe Andruzzi walked to center stage of the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York Thursday night expecting to announce the New England Patriots first round pick and present the prospect with a Patriots "617 Boston Strong" jersey.

Instead, Andruzzi spoke passionately about his adopted city, Boston and showed all watching from Radio City and around the country on ESPN that Boston remains Strong in the aftermath of the attacks on the Marathon.

Andruzzi said Thursday was a day filled with positive energy and excitement as the dreams of playing in the NFL for many college prospects comes true. Andruzzi likened that sense of energy to those in Boston following the Marathon bombings.

Andruzzi told the New York crowd Boston and its surrounding communities have come together as "One Boston" and the support for the victims - and sense of community pride - in the aftermath of last week's unspeakable tragedy has been overwhelming.

Andruzzi encouraged everyone to continue to shine the spotlight on the first responders from the Marathon and the everyday citizens that jumped into action to save lives.

And to especially focus on all the amazing survivors that have "vowed to move forward in a positive direction," he said.

Andruzzi said the city of Boston - and all of us in Massachusetts - will return to normalcy and "continue together in the hardest of times as we did at the Boston Marathon and show the goodness of people in the face of adversity."

"I would like to share the positive mantra that grew out of the events of last week," Andruzzi said. "We have a new saying in Boston, ‘Boston Strong baby.’"

The crowd, giving a standing ovation, began to chant "Boston Strong" throughout Radio City Music Hall. Soon after, Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" played over the speakers and the crowd sang along.

Ironically, the New England Patriots traded its first round pick (29th overall) to the Minnesota Vikings, leaving Andruzzi without a player to present the Boston Strong jersey to.

"I'm here representing Patriot Nation," Andruzzi said. "We don’t have a player to give our jersey to because they've traded the 29th pick to the Minnesota Vikings."

So Andruzzi and Goodell improvised, holding the customized jersey up for all to read:

"Boston Strong."

Here's the text to Andruzzi's speech:

"Today is a day filled with positive energy and excitement. It’s about young talented football players who looked forward to hearing their name called and having their dream of being an NFL draft pick realized.

In terms of the Boston Marathon, the focus should be on all the positive energy that has emerged since the bombings. Let’s continue to shine the spotlight on all the first responders like my three FDNY brothers that are here with me tonight. And all of the everyday citizens that jumped into action. Plus, the amazing survivors who have vowed to move forward in a positive direction and all the countless acts of kindness that have been exhibited in Boston and around the country and globe.

As our nation did after 9/11, we will return to normalcy. We will continue to enjoy the freedoms of our country. We will continue together in the hardest of times as we did at the Boston Marathon and show the goodness of people in the face of adversity.

On this note, I would like to share the positive mantra that grew out of the events of last week. We have a new saying in Boston, ‘Boston Strong baby.’"

To watch the video of Andruzzi's speech, click here.