NFL: School’s in for Brits
The NFL is about to give the British public its first lesson in top-level American football, and some local fans believe the sport can succeed overseas with the right strategy.
“Once you get educated in this country, you’ll be a fan,” said Patrick Dicks, a 40-year-old Disney employee who grew up in Bristol but now lives in Orlando, Fla. “It’s all education.”
Dicks and four friends flew to London this week to see the Miami Dolphins play the New York Giants in the NFL’s first regular-season game outside North America. Although Dicks, who has lived in the United States for 23 years, is a convert to the sport, it might be tough for others in Britain to get on board.
“It just doesn’t appeal to me,” said Simon Aaronson, 26, a physics teacher. “It seems like a bunch of men in crash helmets running into each other.”
The NFL has tried to break into the European market before, first with the American Bowl exhibition games and later with the minor league NFL Europe, later renamed NFL Europa. Both had a small amount of success but were eventually dropped as interest decreased.
Sunday’s game is different. It means something.
“This game will help the brand more that NFL Europe,” said Dicks, who is confident the Dolphins, despite the worst record in the league, can prevail at the rebuilt Wembley Stadium.
Sara Jones, a 21-year-old graduate student, said she would like to tune in to watch the sold-out game.
“I want to see what the fuss is about,” said Jones, adding she believed there was room for American football in the British sports landscape. “If we just welcome them into the fold, I don’t see why it shouldn’t succeed.”
Testaverde will start at QB
Coach John Fox on Friday named 43-year-old Vinny Testaverde the starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against Indianapolis. Testaverde got the nod ahead of David Carr, who is recovering from a back injury.
The move pits Testaverde, in his 21st season, against reigning Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning as the Panthers try to become the first team to beat the Colts this season.
Testaverde was out of the league after being cut by New England before the start of the regular season. The Panthers called him when they learned Jake Delhomme would be lost for the season to an elbow injury and after Carr hurt his back.
Testaverde flew into town Oct. 10 and learned enough of the offense to start four days later against Arizona. He then completed 20 of 33 passes for 206 yards, including the go-ahead 65-yard touchdown pass in the 25-10 win.
Around the league
Pittsburgh defensive end Aaron Smith will miss his first game in his eight-year career Sunday at Cincinnati with a sprained ligament in his left knee. … Philadelphia starting right tackle Jon Runyan missed his third straight practice and is questionable to make his 185th consecutive start Sunday against the Vikings. … Minnesota won’t announce a starting quarterback until Sunday morning, but signs still point to veteran Kelly Holcomb replacing the injured Tarvaris Jackson against Philadelphia. … Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew was limited in practice and was listed as questionable against Tampa Bay. … Former San Francisco receiver Antonio Bryant filed a motion in Denver asking a federal judge to stop the NFL from disciplining him for allegedly violating the league’s substance abuse policy.