The Rise and Rise of the NFL in the UK

The NFL is not just an American institution any more, we English want a go as well. American football has increased in popularity over the past two seasons around the British Isles and this is leading to the exciting development of the sport all over the country.

While visiting the States a few weeks ago, I was in a bar with my dad watching the live feed from the Bengal’s training camp. We were having a conversation over the Ochocinco-T.O. debate and enjoying chatting about the up coming season.

We were interrupted only by the bar tender who was so shocked that we were talking so fluently about "his sport," that he thought we were putting on the English accents for effect, as surely no Englishman could be enjoying an American sport. I fear that this is how America perceives us lowly Brits watching American football. (Sorry to keep calling it American football, but some boundaries cannot be crossed; soccer is football to me.)

I have a group of friends, all of whom make it their business to keep up with every movement in the world of the NFL and fully enjoy the aura that surrounds the league and the sport on the whole. It must be understood that there is literally no sport like it England, with rugby holding some similar principles, but is a totally different sport in truth.

There are certainly some main reasons why certain areas of England are becoming more aware of the NFL:

Wembley Stadium

The idea to send two teams over to the biggest stadium in England, only to have them scuff up the pitch seemed insane three or four years ago, but now it is a showpiece occasion that many sports fans will put in their diary as early as possible. However, unfortunately the planning and execution of this event can leave much to be desired, with many of the seats going to large American corporations and the whole day lacking that certain magic that seems to come from every single game shown live from America.

Cheerleaders

Every good sport needs cheerleaders and we have not got nearly enough of them in England. Therefore, we need to adopt your sports as our own in order to encourage the other sports to follow suit. Joking aside, it is the event that is involved in every single game that attracts many fans, as the coverage and atmosphere allows every fan to feel as though the game is being played just for them.

David Beckham

It is difficult to underestimate the cultural importance of David Beckham in England and so anything he is seen to be interested in, will automatically be looked upon favorably by a good chunk of the nation. There was a video circulating of the great one playing American football and looking very cool while he was doing it and this has no doubt contributed to the growth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_HP395LAzw

Domestic Sports

I view this as the main reason for the popularity. England has suddenly become quite poor at their own sports and so the English mentality is to sweep that under the rug and find something else to occupy the time, this came in the form of the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Of course, this is the business end of the season and so many of the most exciting games will happen and it remains to be seen if these fans stick with the sport but either way, it is on the radar.

The Super Bowl last year became an event. Many pubs held Super Bowl parties and kept the bar open until 4 or 5 am and this shows the incredible rise in popularity and the fact that these fans are looking to seek out other fans, the signs are there to make the sport bigger in England. Clubs are also springing up all over the country and the demand for these clubs have reason,as they are attracting people of all ages to have a go at a rapidly growing sport.

Long may this growth continue and, hopefully soon, NFL games will not be relegated to obscure sports channels and American football can become more mainstream for us Brits.