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SPORTS NFL DIARY: LONDON 2011 The American's Josh Modaberi meets the teams in the run up to the Bears v Bucs clash in London then enjoys the big day at Wembley 
The NFL bandwagon is well and truly back in London this week for the annual International Series regular season game. This season sees the return of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who played at Wembley against the New England Patriots and lost heavily 35–7 in 2009, to take on the Chicago Bears. The Bears are no strangers to London themselves as they were involved in the first ever NFL game at Wembley back in 1986 at the American Bowl, where they beat the Dallas Cowboys 17–6.Since the NFL started playing regular season games at Wembley in 2007 the British public have taken to the sport in their thousands. Each game has been a sell out and there has been talk of a having a second International series game at Wembley during the season and even talk of a British NFL franchise. Here's what the teams have been up to in the lead up to the big game. Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 After arriving in the UK at 10:35pm on Monday night the Tampa Bay Buccaneers players and cheerleaders were in a bright mood on Tuesday morning as they spent some time at a school in South London, answering the children's questions and going through some drills with the kids. The Buccaneers arrive in London leading the NFC South and are on the back of a good win against New Orleans Saints.All the players were in a cheerful mood and were all happy at being in London for Sunday’s game. Da 'Quan Bowers the Bucs Defensive Lineman said: "I'm enjoying it over here in the UK, it's great we get to come out and celebrate with these kids today and hanging with them all day long it's been a great experiences for us all. We're all excited about the game on Sunday, it's a business trip but we're going to be having a little fun. When Sunday comes we'll tune in and be ready for the Chicago Bears." Running back Mossis Madu added: "I like it in London, everywhere I go my eyes are wide open and the weather is nice over here, back home it's hot still so it's nice to come here to some cool weather. On Sunday the thing I'm looking forward to most is the atmosphere, it's going to be a sell out so thats a good thing and it will be great to see how they accept us here, but it should be great fun!" Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 Day two of the Bucs preparations ahead of the game against the Chicago Bears meant I had to travel to the luxury Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa complex where the team are staying and training. As well as a host of British and American press in attendance the Harlequins rugby team were watching the first training session as the players did numerous drills ahead of Sunday. It was a great experience to see athletes at the top of their game performing at such close range and getting to see the players in a relaxed atmosphere. I managed to catch a word with Running Back Ernest Graham: "I've been over here before in 2009 and it's great to come back over here and see more of the city than I did last time. This is going to be a home game for us and that’s a fantastic part of our sport getting the chance to come half way around the world to play football, it doesn't get any better than that." Bucs head coach Raheem Morris said: "I don't think you ever lose home field advantage coming to London. In 2009 the fans were cheering their butts off for us and we were getting our butts kicked at the time so we really appreciated it." Friday, 21st October, 2011
There were some Surrey County Cricket players on hand to show a few of the Bears players the ropes at cricket. The game, which became a cross between cricket and baseball, put was great to watch, even though I had to be pretty quick to avoid getting hit by some stray balls. It was then down to business for the Bears side as they started their training session with the night sky starting to fall in London and the Oval's floodlights starting to shine. Before practice head coach Lovie Smith explained the decision at not travelling over earlier in the week: "There are two ways to do it,’’ Smith said. "For us, I felt it was important to have a regular work week in Chicago. Same dressing room, meeting room. We’ll be rested and ready to go. Tthe best football team will win the game. It’s kind of as simple as that. I’d rather play Tampa in London, than Tampa in Tampa." Saturday, 22nd October, 2011
There has been quite a bit of talk recently about staging a second International Series in London, as well as having a London based franchise and even hosting a Super Bowl. I caught up with a few fans to get their thoughts. Minnesota Vikings fan Dave said: "I think it’s fantastic bringing the NFL to London, I think there are more fans in the UK than the NFL realises. I think it would be a huge success if London could host two regular season NFL games and the support is defiantly here for that. With regards to a franchise I think that’s a bit of a fantasy." And it wasn’t just UK fans that have been turning up for these NFL games in London over the past five years but fans from across the globe and Seattle Seahawks fan from Germany, Robert told me: "I’ve been here for all five games in the past. It would be great to have NFL games in other parts of Europe and I would love NFL regular season games to take place in Germany. "I’m all in favour of having a second game over in London or anywhere in Europe but as for the Super Bowel I think it should stay in America." Saturday, 22nd October, 2011: GAME DAY
The day started off with the tailgate party at which, much like the day before at the Fan Rally in Trafalgar Square, there was an array of jerseys from all NFL teams and not just the two teams taking participating in the game. One thing that was noticeable upon entering the stadium was the number of fans out to show their support for the Bears, whom many UK fans have adopted as their team to support following their success in the first NFL game played at the old Wembley Stadium in the 1986 American Bowl game against Dallas Cowboys.
There were also two pitch invasions on the night – the first from a squirrel and the second from a spectator who got carried away although he managed to get a few high–fives from the players during his time on the field.
Tampa were finding it hard to get into the game and Chicago had extended their lead by half time. During the third quarter after a few failed attempts of a Mexican wave, it finally got going around the whole of the stadium for a number of laps. The fourth quarter had all the fans on the edge of their seats as the Buccaneers scored two touchdowns and were rallying for another until the Bears dashed any Bucs hopes with an interception in the final minute. All–in–all it was a cracking advertisement for staging more NFL games in London and it wasn't just the fans that enjoyed it but the players and managers as well. Bears defensive back Charles Tillman said after the game: "I think the crowd were pretty fair, they just wanted to see good plays and they didn't mind if that was from us or the Bucs. "I don't feel anyone had a home–field advantage, there was a tone of noise in the stadium tonight, I don't think they were going for one team over the other, I liked it and I would love to come over and do it again." |
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