BESSEMER, Ala. -- Surrounded by about 100 family members and friends, Jameis Winston spent the final hours before the 2015 NFL Draft far removed from the bright lights of Chicago.

Winston, who is expected to become Florida State's first-ever No. 1 overall pick when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers make the opening selection Thursday night, appeared relaxed and confident as he mingled with every single person who attended the low-key gathering at the home of a family friend.

The event, which was described on glossy, full-color invitations as Winston's "Draft Day Party," felt more like a family reunion than the coronation of the NFL's next multi-millionaire. With soft R&B music playing in the background, the members of the Winstons' inner circle talked and laughed, and mostly just enjoyed spending time together.

There was little discussion of the draft or the future.

"That's how we wanted to keep it -- family and friends," said Winston's father, Antonor, wearing a designer T-shirt, jeans and a baseball cap.

Jameis, also dressed casually in warmup pants and a black Nike T-Shirt, arrived by himself midway through the four-hour affair, exchanged hugs with a few friends and then immediately headed to a table under a large white tent, where his grandmother Myrtle Winston was seated. After sharing a warm embrace, Winston coaxed a quick smile from the family matriarch and posed for the few photographers who were allowed to attend.

It was concerns about Myrtle's ability to travel that caused the family to spend their special day in his hometown of Bessemer, as opposed to the NFL draft site. And it certainly was a down-home affair.

With an outdoor buffet lined with fried fish, hamburgers and hot dogs, French fries, baked beans and coleslaw, the only signs of extravagance were the two glass chandeliers that hung inside the large tent and the massive projection screen, where guests were going to watch the draft on television later that night.

Although the Winstons were the guests of honor, that was hardly apparent.

Winston's mother, Loretta, helped check in guests at the entrance. Antonor worked the crowd, making plates of food for older guests who couldn't walk through the line. Jameis and his longtime girlfriend, Breion Allen, even waited in line for their food with the other guests.

"I haven't had a chance to enjoy it," Antonor said with a laugh after dropping off a plate of food. "As long as the people are enjoying it, I'm good. That's why Jameis stayed home. For his family and for his friends.

"And as long as that lady up there in her queen chair is being catered to, I'm good."

"That lady," of course was Myrtle, Antonor's mother and Jameis' lone living grandmother.

Antonor explained that Jameis and his grandmothers have always been extremely close. Loretta Winston's mother has passed, but Jameis honors her memory every time he takes the field in his No. 5 jersey.

"She passed on a May 5," Antonor said. "That's why he wears No. 5."

As the guests started filing out for a late-afternoon break before returning for the night's festivities, Jameis was back by Myrtle's side once again. Meanwhile, satellite trucks from ESPN and the NFL Network were parked in front of the house, preparing for live interviews once Winston's name is called in a few hours.

Antonor admitted that Jameis received some pressure to attend the official event in Chicago, but he said the family never wavered. He then pointed over to the table, where Myrtle and Jameis were seated and sharing a quiet conversation, and said there was no doubt they made the right decision.

"Look at her. You can see for yourself," Antonor said. "She's in the queen chair. They're doing it big. As long as he's with her, she's the baby."

Check back with Warchant.com after the draft for continuing coverage from Bessemer, Ala.