So the NFL decided to take a regular season football game to London for the first time ever. The lucky guinea pigs were the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins. As if the Dolphins season wasn't already going bad enough, they now have the distinction of losing every game in America and Europe, dropping to 0-8 after losing to the Giants, 13-10. I know the NFL wanted to take teams from two major cities - that not so coincidentally probably contain two of the highest numbers of people from other countries - and they likely had this scheduled prior to knowing how good either team would be, but this game was not the best that American football has to offer:
The teams combined for 492 yards, only 187 passing -- numbers teams often put up by themselves in a game. They combined for seven fumbles, two missed field goals and 14 penalties.
Tough. But kudos to both teams for playing a fairly decent game in the cold, rainy conditions of Wembley Stadium. I know the players only play once a week, but that still can't be enough time to get used to the time change (4 hours ahead of the east coast). And that certainly wasn't enough time to get used to the British food, which has not improved even after the 1,000,000th joke/comment about its distinct awfulness (confirmed by a friend who currently lives there). Their cars look nice on the outside, too, but they can't seem to get those totally right either. At least they're consistent.
Despite my glum commentary, the game was a positive for the NFL, as they sold out the 80,000+ stadium in two hours (with a request for half a million tickets made within the first 72 hours after the game was first announced), and from all reports the crowd was amped, as would be expected for their first NFL (not to be confused with NFL Europe) game ever. I found it amusing that the only time they booed was when the Giants kneeled on the ball three times to end the game, either not understanding (said the Giants' coach) or not caring (says I) that this is a common play when a team has the lead and possession of the ball at the end of the game. They wanted to see more football (not to be confused with futbol), and who can blame them. They waited a long time for this. They probably thought they were going to see Dan Marino.
Presumably, the NFL will take both teams' feedback and decide whether they want to field a team there at some point down the line. Thus, the decision will be based on whether the dollars make cents. I'd hazard a guess that jersey and other team apparel/accessories sales were huge, with the British fans snapping up anything they were offered, even for teams that weren't playing there. A European team would be right in line with the move to globalize that the major sports leagues (i.e., the NBA in China) have been tossing around as they consider adding teams outside of North America (What, nobody wants to play in Hawaii, Alaska - North Dakota?).
In that system, every week, one team would travel there or the European team would travel here. If any sport is more conducive to traveling long distances between games, football would be it. I'm sure the away team would not be looking forward to that trip, but with the right catering - these boys gotta eat! - perhaps something could be arranged. Not surprisingly, those in and around the game are not as enthusiastic about the prospect. Change is always a bit painful.
What do you think about fielding a team in London? I was skeptical at first, but now the idea doesn't seem so far-fetched. I just might travel there for a game.
* "Bob's your uncle" is a British expression something like "It's as simple as that!" as in, "Add a little of this, a little of that, and wala! Bob's your uncle!"
And lastly, this is exactly what Travis Johnson was so pissed about:
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