The NFL expanded its place within the nationwide sports activities consciousness because the curtain got here down on Thursday’s season opener.
The loopy maelstrom earlier than and after the replay discovered Baltimore Ravens receiver Isaiah Seemingly apparently knocking out the toe of his shoe after catching a possible landing cross as time expired out of bounds.
Soccer is again — on the house of the defending Tremendous Bowl champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs — and the championship crew is in management. Till they did not. That was till Ravens head coach John Harbaugh flashed two fingers, signaling that his crew would attempt to win on a two-point conversion after the landing was in useless.
KC improved to 1-0, however the NFL additionally gained. Whereas it is uncertain the league will dip to the proverbial .500 after tonight’s recreation between the Inexperienced Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles in Sao Paulo, Brazil, simply studying it in sequence ought to give some pause, proper?
Viewers in Inexperienced Bay and Philadelphia, in addition to subscribers to Peacock, the NBC streaming service that owns the published rights, ought to know all in regards to the NFL’s first foray into South America.
Increasing the league’s affect abroad is a well-recognized purpose. Simply 24 hours after attracting new ardent followers and followers in center America and a nationwide tv viewers, it appeared desirous to regain its obvious fortunes.
Friday marks the primary of 5 NFL worldwide video games in 2024, with the primary three happening abroad in London, a long-time league favourite, and the opposite in Munich. European competitions might be held in October and November.
Maybe the Alliance is raring to reward its loyal followers south of the equator.
Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s government vice chairman of membership operations, worldwide and league occasions, not too long ago advised Forbes that Brazil has 36 million NFL followers. Amongst worldwide fan bases, solely Mexico and Canada rank greater.
The Corinthians Stadium has a capability of 47,000 and sparked a frenzy of provide and demand amongst Brazilians when tickets went on sale.
If solely everybody there have been so enthusiastic.
Eagles cornerback Darius Slay advised podcast listeners final week, “Man, I do not need to go to Brazil.” Different experiences point out he suggested his household to do one thing he could not do: skip the journey.
Philadelphia receiver AJ Brown misplaced some romance himself after weighing in as a part of the “do not do” checklist that crew personnel inform gamers, together with carrying a cellular phone whereas strolling down the road.
“I simply need to go on the market and win a soccer recreation and go house … however after listening to all this stuff, I am most likely going to remain in my room,” he mentioned.
Packers cornerback Eric Stokes will attempt to include Brown tonight and may very well discover widespread floor with him when time expires.
“Simply do not depart the resort,” Stokes mentioned of his journey.
To make certain, fan expertise and goodwill occasions are already in full swing forward of recreation day.
“The sport isn’t essentially the tip in itself,” O’Reilly mentioned. “It isn’t nearly coming in and taking part in video games. It is about staying linked in that neighborhood and in that nation year-round.
The theme of diplomacy could divide the Eagles fan base, and their muse will not even be sporting the crew’s signature colours tonight. They mentioned it was dangerous conduct to put on inexperienced in that a part of Brazil.
As soon as the ball is within the air, the subject could turn out to be moot.
Anyway, is there something unsuitable with taking part in this recreation in South Philly on Sunday?
