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2021 NFL Tottenham

Harvie McElwain

January 23, 2021 by nflinlondon

NFL in London lost our ‘grandfather’ this week, as my father Harvie McElwain passed away at the age of 84.
There would be no NFL in London if it weren’t for Harvie, so I hope you’ll join me in raising a glass in toasting Harv this week as you watch the games.

Fred Harvie McElwain was born in Toronto, Canada in 1936. He attended the prestigious Upper Canada College, where he excelled at football, theatre and popularity.
Harvie always wanted to pursue a life of football, but family found him first.

Football was life to my dad.
As a geeky, friendless kid with two older sibling, growing up on a farm in Canada, my love of the NFL came from my father; or rather being in his presence while we all watched the NFL together.
Every Sunday I would all settle in for the games with my father, my big brother Brad, & mom cooking in the distance as we watched the beautiful game.
Food, family, and fun.
I can still smell every Super Bowl & remember the winning menu.

I learned to love the NFL by watching and learning from Harvie’s reactions to the drama of every season throughout my youth.
He was patient with me to explain every rule, watched like a ref, he could anticipate plays, loved Madden & Summerall,  fair play, hated racism, and never shied away from revealing his emotions during the games.
‘That’s bullshit ref!’, ‘offside you idiot’, and ‘is that any good?!?’ would resonate through the house on Sundays, as I revelled in his passion and ability to swear in front of my mom and get away with it.

In 1985 my feeling for the NFL changed thanks to the Chicago Bears. I never had a ‘team’ prior to the Bears, as I navigated which of the NFL clubs I most identified with.
When the ’85 Bears burst on the scene, bullied the opposition then devastated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, I knew I had my team.
I was a Bears fan.

Big brother Brad has been a Bills fan since their 90s’ frosted tip fiesta against the vaunted Cowboys. He doesn’t like me mentioning him much in public, but he’s the best big NFL big brother you can have. And he’s the only guy you want with you in Las Vegas.
Eldest sister Leslie wasn’t keen on sports, but was quick to chime in fervour to rile up the old man.
Watching the NFL with Harvie was something unique to each of us, and all of us, which  makes the sport truly special.

My dad was quick to enlighten me on the history of the Chicago Bears. How they helped build the league, how they helped the US  try to overcome things like racism, and how they helped the Green Bay Packers as a pseudo big brother to them to get into the league.

Harvie was originally a Packers fan, but due to my allegiance, he chose to support every team that was ‘the little guy’. He never said this to me outright, but I knew that he wanted me to love the Bears, and didn’t want to ever compete or find a rivalry with me.
That’s the kind of guy he was. A gentle giant who stood up for the little guy, and encouraged fair play all the way.

My dad would go on to support every little guy team that needed support. Given that we lived on the American border, Harvie & Brad would support the Buffalo Bills during their 90s push as ‘Canada’s team’, often bringing us across the border to grab loads of Bills gear from the outlet stores.
He liked the Lions because ‘Barry Saunders is one of the classiest guys ever’, the Bucs because ‘they never win, and those are the worst uniforms ever’, and would always talk about how much he loved Washington FB John Riggins for being a ‘tough son of a bitch.’
Harvie also thought Howie Long was one of the dirtiest players that ever played, and would mutter under his breath every time Long and the Raiders made another dirty play.

Harvie was a high school football referee in Kitchener, Ontario. Twice a week during the season, my dad would travel to local high schools with his ref buddies to encourage the local youth to love the game. To be honest, watching overweight men running at full tilt on the pitch made me look for the closest defibrillators, but thankfully none of them died (at the games I saw).
After the games, all of the refs would gather at local watering holes like the Edelwiess Tavern or the like for football banter, ribaldry, a few too many beers and sloshy drives home that would make newspapers today.

Often after school my dad would pick me up from school, then I would be given a handful of quarters for table top video games, while he and the refs talked HS football BS, 80s culture and grown-up BS.
I remember on one occasion when I was 13, the beer was flowing and the tensions were rowing between my dad and a particularly odious other large ref who was not well liked by his peers.
Even at that age I knew what a bully was, and this doofish was the grownup version.
Quicker of wit, my dad angered the large lout to the point he wanted to ‘go outside’ for a rumble to settle his public offense, and Harv was happy to oblige the loudmouth.
He told me to stay put as he and the refs headed to the patio for the big dust-up. As Harvie took off his sports jacket, the younger ref ran across and sucker punched my father in the mouth, which sent him back a few steps into the corner. I cried out in protest, as my dad looked over at me with a sly, secret smile.
That would be the only punch the man threw.
Harvie was a big man,  a former boxer & a guy who knew how to throw a punch when he had to.
I watched my dad steady himself after the sucker and deliver a series of combinations that snapped the man’s head back several times like a speed bag before he collapsed into a humble pile of injury.
As all the refs headed back inside leaving the man in a shameful heap, my hero dad leaned into me and said ‘let’s not tell your mom about this’ with a wink and nod.
I never did…until now. Sorry mommy.

While in uni, Harvie brought me in to make some extra cash as a high school football referee, despite me not having taken any training or accreditation. In my first game, I worked with my dad and was nervous as hell (as well as incredibly hung over). Trying to justify my presence, I called an early ‘too many men on the field’ penalty, which sent one of the coaches into such a tizzy, ran onto the field to address me.
Needless to say I never continued to ref, but Harv always had my back.

Harvie was always proud of all of the great high school footballers the region produced, and would often keep clip outs of their achievements.
One local athlete who went on to do well was a boxer named Lennox Lewis, who played football for Cameron Heights Collegiate. When other refs would bemoan that Lewis ‘didn’t like to get hit’ when he played football, my dad would counter ‘that’s what’s going to make him a great boxer. Look out for him.’
If you’re reading this Lennox, my dad kept some of your clippings (along with thousands of other local heroes) and proudly announced you as ‘Kitchener’s own.’
Harv was proud of Kitchener and anyone who had the proud gumption to leave, but call it home.

When I moved to the UK in 2007, I lamented to my father the lack of the NFL viewing in London, he simply responded ‘do something about it.’  I wanted the NFL in London experience to be like what watching football with my dad was like. Good food, great banter, and a feeling of family. No matter who you supported, you were always welcome, and it was all about everyone together.
As much as the NFL is about competition, it’s also about inclusivity.

Harvie attended an NFL game with me and some friends when he made the trek over to England. As dementia crept onto his playing field, Harv was determined that he would make the most of his remaining memories, and everyone who sat near us at Wembley Stadium for the Bucs vs Bears were treated to a true Harvie McElwain experience.
He explained the rules to British newcomers to the game, encouraged children to cheer and make some noise, and even tried to keep up pint for pint with some gregarious fans.
Thanks to everyone who got us home safely that night.

When I was asked to host some the NFL UK festivities over the years, my dad always wanted to know who was there and what was happening. Any time I met one of his heroes he asked me what they were like. Guys like Joe Montana were happy to indulge me with a photo, Jerry Jones telling a press conference Hollywood scandal stories at my behest ripped my old man to pieces with laughter, and then there was Jerry.
The Jerry.
Jerry Rice is one of my dad’s all time favourites as a player, as a person, as a role model. Harvie was all about spotting ‘class’ in a player, and Jerry Rice had class and then some. As much as he pushed the little guy, he also promoted the big guy with the even bigger heart.

When I was hosting an NFLUK event at Wembley, I was told that I was going to be given a press opportunity with Jerry Rice & some fans. In a mock stadium in front of a few thousand UK fans, Jerry runs out onto the pitch with the swagger of an NFL great.
We do a few Q&A’s and my heart is pumping in front of this family icon, who is not only so calm and sweet, but is incredibly handsome up close.
As the interview is coming to a close Jerry Rice does something that changed my life forever.
He asked me him to throw him a football.
Watch the video below to see it in its glory.
Jerry Rice came up to me after the play and said ‘that was a hell of a pass, you could play in the NFL.’
I knew he was joking, but I knew it didn’t matter. I just threw a touchdown pass to Jerry Rice. Jerry Rice is amazing. Jerry Rice has class. Harvie.
After this happened I immediately called my dad back in Canada and told him ‘I just threw a touchdown pass to Jerry Rice.’ he paused for the joke.
I explained in broken hysterics what had just happened nearly breaking into full on tears into recounting this lifetime milestone. The pause of emotion that followed still lives with me today.
I didn’t just throw the pass, Harvie was there too.

The NFL remained one constant in his life, despite his inability to focus on games in his latter years, he was just happy to be in the presence of fellow NFL fans.
Though an ocean away, my dad and I still kept in touch with all the NFL news. His memory for the game may have struggled, but his passion never did.

Often I would encourage NFL in London fans at events to give a shout out to my father Harvie which I would film. My mom would play them for my dad, causing him to well up with emotion.
You may not have known what an impact you had on an old NFL fan and his family, but it was tremendous, and my whole family thanks you.
UK NFL fans are the best.

This is the first Super Bowl without my father in my life, and it sucks huge. Knowing all the new NFL friends I have met in the UK and beyond has been a real blessing, and I know that in someway he’s a catalyst for it all.
Setting up parties at the Sports Bar, Hippodrome, hosting NFLUK events, and helping promote the game in the UK for me is as result of  my dad’s love of the NFL, and his knowledge that gathering together to watch the games is more about sport.
It’s about family.
So many of us in the UK have found new kin & collectives thanks to our love of the NFL, and if the events I and the team have helped set up have helped you make new NFL friends and family for life, then you have Harvie McElwain to thank for it.

So this weekend, and for the Super Bowl please do me a favour and raise a glass to my father Harvie McElwain.
Those who knew him miss him fondly, and those who didn’t would have loved to watch a game with him.

Safe travels Harv…and fuck dementia.

Here is an obituary to my father Harvie McElwain. A true legend.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/therecord-waterloo/obituary.aspx?n=harvie-mcelwain&pid=197570385

Writers note: As a son I hold my father in a rather high regard, so I apologise for any liberties taken. Actually, I don’t. He was my dad. 

Filed Under: Featured, NFL London, NFL News, NFL Pictures, NFL Video Tagged With: 2020 London NFL games, 2021 London NFL, 2021 NFL London, 2021 NFL Tottenham, Betregal, buffalo bills, canada, CBS NFL, Harvie McElwain, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, NFL in london, NFL International, NFL playoffs, NFL tips, NFLUK, Toronto Argonauts, Wade McElwain, Where to watch NFL in London

Conference Playoffs

January 23, 2021 by nflinlondon

And then there were four. Only the Bills, Bucs, Chiefs, and Packers remain, so which one of them will be the next Super Bowl Champion? We will find out in this podcast edition of the NFL Conference Playoffs.

The Divisional Playoffs last weekend brought us some incredible highs, some lowly lows, and some oh so close matches that went down to the wire. Some of those things that Wade & Ryan talk about in this edition of the podcast includes:

Bills Running Game

The Bills don’t have one, but how much will that matter? Well, going deep into the playoffs-the more well rounded teams usually fare better. While questions emerge around how the Bills can expect to survive again against the Chiefs without a running game, the guys discuss another point. What if it’s there, but we just don’t see it.

Done Drew

Drew Brees is of the big broadcast booth in the sky next season by the look of it, and what a way to whimper out. Brees was picked and prodded by the stout Bucs D last weekend, and despite the cute send off by Tom Brady after the game, it wasn’t really the way a player wants to bow out of the NFL.

Clipped Ravens

The Ravens are good, but not great. They lack the finesse of a complete team, and that puts too much pressure on Lamar Jackson. The Bills choked out Baltimore and didn’t ask if they wanted a safety word. If Baltimore wants to make a deeper push next season, they are going to need to add a running game and a few key receivers.

Rodgers Rate

Aaron Rodgers is playing phenomenal football right now. Of course, he’s only won one post season game thus far, and that was against the depleted LA Rams, who had a hobbled Aaron Donald in that game. Aaron is playing knockout football, but is that only because he hasn’t been hit yet ?

Browntown

Cleveland is as Cleveland does. The Browns shot themselves in the foot numerous times last Sunday against a Chiefs team that was ready for a right hook. The Browns screwed up in the red zone several times, and Baker wasn’t able to get the passing game going with effectiveness. For about an hour, the world was rooting for the Browns, but it wasn’t enough.

Bucs D

Something is stirring in Florida, and it isn’t a radioactive gator (or is it?). Tampa’s D has been growing in confidence week on week, thanks to TB12 being able to score at will. The Bucs harassed Drew Brees on Sunday, and their numerous picks set the stage for Buc’s points. If a Super Bowl is won by the best D, is this their best chance?

Goff-Off

Jared Goff is going to struggle to be an LA resident. Given that everyone in California is moving to Texas, Goff might want to consider packing his bags. Sean McVay is obviously miffed at Goff’s inconsistent style of play, and he has regressed since their Super Bowl appearance. Look for him to use this offseason to ‘find himself’ or the door out.

Sunday Predictions

So who do Wade & Ryan see winning this Sunday? Well have a listen to the full podcast, and you can get all of the scores and reasoning. But for the sake of brevity and giving you some betting clues, here you go.

Bucs (11-5) vs Packers (13-3)
Packers -3.5  +52
20:05 GMT

The last time these two teams met, the Bucs D grabbed Aaron Rodgers by the moustache and rode that face down the field for 38-10 beating. After getting picked off twice, you could see the look in Rodgers eyes that said basically ‘screw this crap’, and he never mentally returned.
Rematches are a different beast, and we know from TB12 last week that vengeance has its own plan.
The weather looks to be Wisconsin comfortable on Sunday, which will benefit the Bucs.
Green Bay still has some issues on their O line, while the Bucs have had to shuffle a few players on their O line to give Tommy some breathing space.
Ryan is bullish on the Packers here, as it sets up his Super Bowl prediction. He thinks that the combo of Rodgers and Adams will find too many holes in that Bucs secondary and that Tommy’s heroics will fail at the last minute.
Wade on the other hand sees this Bucs momentum continuing on. Brady loves a challenge, and you can bet he will be a bigger locker room motivator than Rodgers. If Ronald Jones is fully healthy, the Packers will struggle to contain a dual attack, not to mention Rodgers being sacked several times.
Ryan- Packers 30 Bucs 27
Wade- Bucs 31 Packers 28

Bills (13-3) vs Chiefs (14-2)
Chiefs -3  +56
23:40 GMT

It’s the battle of the young’uns, as Josh Allen takes aim at Patrick Mahomes and the Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
Mahomes looks to have cleared concussion protocol, and his foot injury is looking good as well. It’s difficult in the best of games to contain Mahomes, so the Bills have their hands full.
Despite their winning record, the Bills have had an underdog status propelling them into the playoffs. The press has pointed to their last 90s’ appearances, and how Josh Allen was busy winning ‘cutest baby titles’ the last time the Bills made the show.
The last time these two faced off the Bills showed Mahomes a cushion of respect, which led to them getting gashed for over 240 rushing yards in a loss. The Bills won’t make the same mistake twice.
Josh Allen has more tools and confidence since that loss, which was also impacted by Covid scheduling,
Both being Canadians who lived on the US border, Wade and Ryan are favouring the plucky Bills in this contest, although for different reasons.
A diehard Bills fan, Ryan would choose them even if they all tested positive for Covid. He has all the confidence that the Bills will make the Super Bowl after this one.
Wade likes the Bills because the ghost of his father Harvie is telling him to, and that’s good enough for him.
Ryan- Bills 30 Chiefs 28
Wade- Bills 28 Chiefs 26

Do you think that the guys got it right? Feel free to reach out to us across our website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and carrier pigeon. We have a Facebook group as well that has loads of great articles and funny memes.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NFLinLondon

At the end of the podcast, Wade pays tribute to his father Harvie McElwain who died on January 20, 2021. Harvie was a big impact on NFL in London, and this NFL loving father, grandfather and former referee’s presence will be felt here for a long time.
Safe travels Harv.

Enjoy Sunday, and please share this with all your NFL friends.

NFLinLondon · Conference Preview-Ep 126

Filed Under: Featured, NFL Betting, NFL London, NFL News, NFL Picks, NFL Podcasts Tagged With: 2021 London NFL, 2021 NFL London, 2021 NFL Tottenham, Aaron Rodgers, buffalo bills, conference playoffs, Green Bay Packers, Harvie McElwain, josh allen, kansas city chiefs, la rams, London NFL 2021 tickets, London NFL 2021 watch, nfl, NFL conference playoffs, NFL games London 2021, NFL news, NFL playoffs 2020, NFL Playoffs 2021, NFL podcast, NFL Tottenham, NFLUK, Philadelphia Eagles, tom brady, Wade McElwain, Where to watch NFL in London

Conference Sunday

January 18, 2021 by nflinlondon

What a wild weekend in the NFL Wildcard Playoffs! The Bills, Chiefs, Packers and Buccaneers all meet next week for Conference Sunday. Are you ready for some football?

The game lines for Sunday’s AFC and NFC championship have been released, with the Chiefs and Packers holding a narrow spread over their opponents. The Packers are favoured by 4 points over the Bucs at Lambeau, while the Chiefs are a scant 3 points favoured over the powerful Buffalo Bills.
Which two teams will be heading to the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay this season?

Here in the UK, those watching the Conference Sunday finals will have to wait until 20:05 for the NFC contest, while the AFC final follows directly after with a 23:40 kickoff. All of the games will be on NFL Gamepass.

Here are some thoughts heading into the final week of NFL playoffs before the SuperBowl.

Packers Offence

Aaron Rodgers continue to blister on at an MVP pace. The neigh sayers who bemoaned the Packers for not drafting a rookie WR to help Rodgers out have been silenced by the fact that he continues to spread the ball around relentlessly. Let’s not forget that the Packers have had the easiest route to the finals, so they will have much more to prove.

So Raven

Baltimore was smothered by the Bills defence on Saturday, forcing Lamar Jackson out of the game, and propelling them into the dank post season. Buffalo sure showed the blueprint to beat Lamar Jackson’s legs, and the Ravens will need a long hard look at what missing pieces they need to pick up in the offseason if they want to have any hope of making a longer playoff push next season.

Buffalo is Warming Up

The Ravens did what they could to throttle Josh Allen and the high flying Bills offence, but just don’t have enough to get it down. Buffalo is really starting to find their confidence now, which should be scary for a Chiefs team that barely escaped a bolstered Browns squad. Allen is also now starting to spread the ball out beyond Diggs, which will cause problems in KC.

We’re Secretly Brownies

As Patrick Mahomes made his way to the blue tent on Sunday night, a feeling started to roll across America ‘I might like the Browns’. Everyone started to root for this team as they showed their pluck and guile under the foot of the Chiefs presence. Cleveland didn’t play that bad. The Browns screwed up 2 HUGE chances in the redzone that would have made the game a totally different beast. Baker’s ill timed cross field interception took the momentum out of a huge drive, while Higgins leap into the end zone only to lose the ball to a touchback was a crappy way to end out the half. The fact that the refs missed a blatant helmet hit in the process means that the league still has work to do.

Henne Ain’t Great

Oooh everyone! Did you see the heroics of Henne? Yes, the 35 year old veteran back up had a few sneaky drives to keep the Chiefs in the win, but he also made some stoopid plays as well. How quickly everyone forgets the lame floater he tossed to a Browns player in the end zone. Not even Johnny Manziel would throw a lame duck like that. Any team that wants to sign Henne after that 2 quarters of mediocre play might be interested in some swamp land in Florida.

Reid’s Balls

Andy Reid has some pretty big balls. Going for it on 4th down with a backup QB, Reid decides to run a shotgun play quickly instead of letting the clock run and try to catch the D offside. The play worked, and sent the Browns packing. Thanks to the gonads of Andy Reid, there might be some big plays ahead.
Here is the play again.

Buc Up

Whoever keeps pissing in Tom Brady’s ‘Wheaties’, please stop. You’re giving him the motivation to star playing angry. While TB12 didn’t look amazing during the Saints game, he was facing one of the best D’s in the league. Tampa made some great adjustments to keep Tom safe, only allowing 1 sack as opposed to 10. Let’s also not forget that it was the Bucs who spanked the Packers huge this season, and with Tommy’s growing confidence, there could be trouble in Wisconsin this Sunday.

Brees Out

Well it looks like Drew Brees will be riding off into the sunset. Despite not officially saying this, every pundit and their uncle made their prediction that this would be Brees’ last game in New Orleans before taking a cushy broadcasting job. Brees has been a hell of a player, and such an ambassador for the city of New Orleans. There will be a big gap to fill after Brees leaves the swamp, and doubtful in Jameis Winston has being enough feet to fill those shoes.
The really classy moment came at the end, with footage of Brady and Brees talking to his family. TB12 throws a touchdown pass to little Brees…and no…you’re crying.

Have a great week, and let’s go Sunday!

Filed Under: Featured, NFL London, NFL News, NFL Pictures, NFL Video Tagged With: 2020 London NFL games, 2020 NFL Wembley, 2021 NFL Tottenham, Aaron Rodgers, Baker Mayfield, bill belichick, buffalo bills, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, kansas city chiefs, London NFL, London NFL 2021 tickets, London NFL 2021 watch, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, NFL 2021 predictions, NFL bets, NFL betting, NFL memes, NFL playoffs 2020, NFL Playoffs 2021, NFL Tottenham, NFL Wembley, NFLUK, patriots, San Francisco 49ers, tom brady, Wade McElwain, Where to watch NFL in London

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