ND native Hansen to announce Bills’ 2nd-round pick

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FARGO — Phil Hansen spent 11 years with the Buffalo Bills. The rewards of his labor keep on coming.

He was inducted into the team’s “Wall of Fame” last fall in a halftime celebration at a Bills game in Orchard Park, N.Y. On Friday, he’ll get to be part of the team’s NFL draft by announcing the second-round pick at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It’s an honor the NFL started for every team by allowing them to invite a former player to be part of the draft process.

“The NFL has turned it into an event,” Hansen said. “When I was drafted, it was more like get it over as soon as you can and get into camp. They’re turning it into a production, which is pretty cool.”

Ironically, Hansen will be announcing the same pick where he was taken in the 1991 draft. Former Bills receiver Andre Reed announced the pick last year.

The second round begins at 5 p.m. and will be televised by ESPN. The Bills are scheduled for the ninth pick.

“This is all icing on the cake for me from last fall until now,” Hansen said. “For me to experience this so many years later, how can you turn down something like that?”

The former North Dakota State standout, who recently announced he’s seeking the Republican endorsement for the Minnesota District 4 state Senate seat, has remained connected to the team through teammates over the years. He’s been a regular attendee of a charity golf tournament organized by former quarterback Jim Kelly.

“It works both ways,” Hansen said. “I try to be a good representative of the Bills and I’m proud to have played for that team.”

Kolpack is a sports reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, which is owned by Forum Communications Co.

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