NFL in London

National Football League in London

Wade McElwain

Coming Home

by

The summer of sport 2021 has been all about England, and cries of ‘it’s Coming Home’.
England is in the Euros final, the UK has set a rapid vaccination rate, and we are chuffed to have two NFL games in October.
Indeed, it’s coming home.

In this episode of the podcast, Wade McElwain and guest Callum Squires look at some of the top sporting stories from the Summer of ’21.
Wade also chats to Callum about his impending marriage and move to Las Vegas, and whether or not he will remain a Dolphins fan, or slide down into the fiery hell that is being a Raiders supporter.

The boys output a playlist of NFL hits in this episode, touching on a myriad of fun topics, including:

The Match

Aaron Rodgers has been playing loads of golf lately, but not a lot of football.
Is he just having some fun before the start of the season, or is this a calculated PR move to send a message to the Packers?
Hard to tell at this point, but given that Green Bay is owned by the fans, they can’t be too pleased with the way he is handling his summer of ’21.
Rodgers and DeChambeau laid a beating on Phil and Tommy Boy, but it was the banter that made this gold.
Training camp is only a few weeks away…your move A-A-Ron.

Lamar’s Mommy

Lamar Jackson is also looking for a new deal, but he’s using an old ally to help get the desired result.
Mommy.
Despite Mrs. Jackson not being formally trained in athletic contractual negotiations, mother knows best, and that’s what LJ is hoping to secure with a new contract with the Ravens.
That’s right, Lamar Jackson’s mom is handling his new contract and negotiations. This could either go horribly wrong, or just a little bit wrong.
If Lamar was ever trying to dispel rumours of being a ‘mama’s boy’, this will be the final nail in his coffin.

Apple NFL

DirecTV’s deal with the NFL is about to end in 2022, which means that the media sharks are circling the blood in the water.
Apple TV, Disney, and Amazon are all circling, and sharpening their teeth for a easy ratings meal that could last a decade.
Despite DirecTV claiming that they lost ‘billions’ in the NFL deal, many of the major streamers aren’t worried, because they can prop up their bottom line with product.
In this new digital age, the DirecTV is an antiquated relic. Old school cable boxing, cheesy packaging and tech problems galore, doth not make for something fans want to shell out shingles for.
It’s only a matter of time (and money) before one of the big three secures global NFL rights.
Having a one stop NFL solution, will not only make for more viewing options, but also allow for a more worldwide coverage, so that UK fans aren’t left out of the conversation.
Going digital means going global, and the NFL could use more of that now.

London NFL

The October games are full throttle ahead, so what does that mean for UK NFL fans?
Callum and Wade talk about the games, and how they think they will go down.
The guys also touch on the difficulty of showing NFL games in pubs, and the nature of pub chains to ‘ruin’ the experience for NFL fans.

Go England

The guys would also like to remind all our fans that we believe that it’s ‘Coming Home’ to England in the 2021 Euros.
There hasn’t been much to celebrate in English football for the past 4 decades, but Sunday’s final versus Italy will bolster the spirit of the country.
We believe that it will ‘come home’, and England will ride that wave of euphoria into 2022.

C’mon England!

London NFL 2021

by

Ding dong, Covid is dead!
The birds are singing, the pubs are ringing, and all signs are pointing to normal.
So what does that mean for the 2021 NFL games in London?
Hopefully…normalcy.

If you haven’t been living in a bubble for the past 2 years, then you’ll know that it has been a wonky-donkey wave.
The 2020 London NFL games were cancelled, as were a holy host of sporting events, and even leagues that couldn’t weather the viral storm.
As the clouds clear, it looks like we might have a better indication of what might go down in London for the October 2021 games.
We are not the NFLUK, just a bunch of fans…so our word is a fart in the wind when it comes to legitimacy.
That being said, let’s look at London NFL 2021.

Covid Great Britain

Great Britain has navigated this Covid storm better than most.
With over 60% of the population double vaxxed, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out a timetable for July 19th for life to return to normal.
This means no more social distancing, limits on numbers of people at a table, and late night venues can open up again.
Best of all…no vaccine passports required!
Normal might be normal again!
While these might not be the rules where you live, those are the impending rules in the UK.
As far as foreigners entering the UK, provided you’re double vaxxed, it’s thought that there will be no issues.
So far so good, but watch this space.

Tottenham Watching

Tottenham and the NFLUK will set their own rules when it comes to letting people into the stadium, but it’s thought that they will follow current conventions in place.
Every NFL stadium is planning on full crowds for the 2021 season, so there’s no reason to think that Tottenham won’t do the same.
The only bugaboo for fans might come from those who aren’t quite ready to sit 3 cm from a stranger who is screaming spittle into your warm Stella.
While many of the football matches are alcohol free in the stands, that could change once October rolls around.
The area surrounding the stadium isn’t known as much of a ‘party zone’, so time will tell what requirements for pubs and bars in the area will impose on visitors.

Late Night London

London is not a late night town.
Unlike New York which is dedicating itself to a 24 hour future, London is mostly shuttered after 11pm, even earlier due to Covid.
Sunday evenings are particularly dead in the capital, and that will probably continue as the trepidation of this ‘new normal’ sets in.
Watching the NFL on a Sunday night for the 9pm (4pm EST) games has gotten more difficult in London, as few pubs are willing to stay open past 10pm.
Areas like Leicester Square have only gotten dirtier, with more gangs and stabbings…so we’ll avoid that area for 2021, as people have already been poked enough.
We are working on a few options for after the Sunday games at Tottenham, and will keep you updated.

Things We Are Keeping an Eye On

As we have learned time and time again over the past few years…nothing the government promises us is locked in stone.
Variants are popping up quicker than ‘Loki’ clones, jabs can only do so much, and the virus continues to surprise us like a pyrotechnic gender-reveal.
Things like booster vaccines, on site testing, temperature checks, and social distancing could all make an ugly return like Josh Gordon, but how much they factor into play needs to be seen.
Book your tickets and be positive, that should be worth something.

We are neither the NFL, nor health experts…so what do we know?
Once we hear the real truths, we will let you all know what the word is.
Hope to see everyone in October.

 

 

NFL Pride

by

The offseason in the NFL is usually just a slew of arrests, mental breakdowns, and ego posturing of young men, suddenly flush with cash.
Occasionally, some truly cool news will come out of the league, which is why we call this podcast NFL Pride.

In this podcast, Wade McElwain and Ryan Cull look at some of the top stories kicking around the NFL while we wait for the season to officially start.

Some of the biggest news that the guys ramble on about this week, includes:

Carl Nassib

Some heart warming news from Las Vegas this week, as Raiders DE Carl Nassib announced he was gay.
While Nassib might not be the first openly gay player, he does help push the conversation forward, as well as serving as an inspiration for any gay players out there who might be nervous about coming out in their sport.
Even bigger and better news was that Nassib’s jersey quickly jumped to the top of the sales charts, evidence that the fans are proud of Carl.
It’s nice to see that we have moved beyond the myopic sexual hysteria of our early ages & into a generation where we judge players not on their sexuality, but on whether or not they play for the Patriots.

Frank Clark

To some more consistent NFL news, Chiefs player Frank Clark was arrested once again for gun violations.
Clark’s bodyguard apparently was in possession of an ‘uzi’, taking this case back to the 1980s’.
This isn’t the first time that Clark has been in trouble, with gun and domestic violence issues following him since his Michigan days.
What will Kansas City do here?

Guice

Derrius Guice has had various charges dropped stemming from a past domestic assault issues. Guice was also dropped by the Washington Football club after the incident, and might have teams looking at him to bolster their 2021 squads.

AB

Antonio Brown also got some lucky law this week, as his probation for assault was reduced.
You might remember Brown moved to Florida to be closer to TB12 and the Bucs, when he was arrested for assaulting the guy delivering his furniture.
Not surprisingly, Brown will have to attend MORE anger management classes, and potentially face a civil suit from the driver.
Oh AB!

XFL

Former XFL players hoping to get paid took a shot in the chin this week, as it was announced that outstanding fees owed to the players would be reduced.
Brokeass amateur athletes hoping for the $14,000 that they were owed to pay off their bills were told that they can now only expect $580.00, minus fees.
On the bight side, the new league is due to form next year…so maybe they can apply to be a part of that one?

London Games

The London NFL games are still good to go for October, so fans should start to get ready!
While we don’t know too much information yet, it’s looking like fans that are fully vaccinated will be allowed to attend.
Given that many people under 18 haven’t been given the shot, there is no word yet whether they will be required to do so.
Honestly, with this summer of sport on, and variants popping up like incarnations of ‘Loki’, we won’t know much until end of August.
When we do, we will let you know.

Here is the latest episode.
Have a listen, a laugh, and maybe even a guffaw.
As soon as more NFL news pops up, we will let you know!
In the meantime, make sure you follow us on social media for all the latest news about the 2021 London NFL games.

Memes of June

by

When life gives you lemons, you throw them at the team when they start playing poorly, those are the new rules of NFL survival.

Given that this time of year is historically boring for NFL news, we present to you another selection of pithy pictures with titles, in our Memes of June post.

NFL Memes are not only a perfect distraction from the lack of the sport, but also a perfect way to serve up one of your buddies with a massive ‘burn’ as to their favourite player, franchise, or the very way that they live their lives themselves.
That’s how good an NFL Meme can be.

Here’s a selection of memes to kick off the end of your June, and rip you right into July.

June Memes

Summer of Sport

by

What a bounty of gameplay we have ahead of us in 2021!
All hail the Summer of Sport!

From the NHL and NBA playoffs, to the 2020 Euros (what?).
Baseball is back, and so is TB12 to take on year another QB foe in a golf off.
And let’s not forget those Tokyo Olympics! Sure, they were off last year, but this year they are back with trepidation.
That leads us all the way into September for the big show in sport.

Wade & Ryan look at some of the scant trickling of NFL news that trickles down the wall in June.
The OTA’s are on, but who is really watching them?

Among some of the other big stories the boys talk about are:

Julio Jones

Me and Julio are heading down to the Titans yard, after a big swoop in by Tennessee to secure the veteran WR.
AJ Brown did everything except promise his first born to JJ, becoming the fan boy who made us all a little creeped out.
Julio has a new home, now let’s see what he does this season.

TB12 Joker

Tom Brady doesn’t seem to get an F anymore when it comes to social media. He is the embarrassing dad of the NFL, posting half baked memes, sly digs, and shots across the bow at former foes.
Isn’t it grand?
Brady is obviously having way more fun than in Boston, which should be scary for everyone.

Who stole the Wilfork’s?

Poor Vince Wilfork. There’s nothing worse than that violating feeling of being robbed, only to find out that the thief was your very own spawn.
The children of rich kids, huh?
Vince’s son stole all of his jewellery to pawn off, not really thinking the whole process through.
Instead of therapy, why not put them on a reality TV show?

Kyler Hates Dallas

Everything is bigger in Texas, except Kyler Murray.
Jumping onto a soundbite, Murray was quick to diss ‘America’s Team’, and the hype that surrounds them.
If only Kyler was a wee bit bigger, he might be able to see over that O-Line of his.

Oh Aaron

Aaron Rodgers is still holding out, preferring to spend his summer watching Myles Teller get popped in the mouth around the Caribbean.
All signs point to Rodgers NOT returning this year, perhaps he’ll spend the fall watching Jeopardy reruns and hoping that they would give him that forever call.

Le’Veon Bell Ringing

Le’Veon Bell knows how to talk his way out of a job.
All you have to do is attack one of the nicest coaches in the league, and accuse him of ‘hating’ you.
Bell already led his own face out of Pittsburgh with idiocy, so it goes to figure that Bell would do the same to screw his way out of KC.
What’s the end game Le’Veon?
Do you really think that teams are that desperate for an overweight, and needy RB?
Maybe by week 6.

London Games

Freedom Day is here…almost…sort of.
The UK was due to open up like a beautiful flower on June 21st, 2021, but now that all got scuppered due to another ‘variant’.
This means that the UK is ‘due’ to return to ‘normal’ by the end of July 2021, giving us plenty of time to welcome fans in for the October NFL games at Tottenham.
Of course there is a whole summer of virus ahead of us, so we will take it one down at a time.
When we know something, we will let you know as well.

Here’s the podcast for this week.
It’s short, sweet, and misses the mark on many occasions…just like Kyler Murray.

Have a great summer, stay safe, stay sane…and get ready for some football!