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The NFL coming to Germany is a sign that something bigger is coming
Munich is known for its famous beer and October celebrations. Now people can say it is the site of Germany’s first real NFL game.
From 1990-1994, there were preseason games in Berlin – but nothing quite like what is expected on Sunday afternoon.
“We are overwhelmed by the demand for tickets for our first-ever regular-season game in Germany… Tom Brady and the Bucs facing the Seahawks in November will be the biggest sporting event in Germany in 2022. Our fans can’t wait for the NFL to finally touch down in Germany,”
an NFL spokesperson said, according to ESPN.
Will the NFL expand?
Sunday’s game will be the second-to-last international NFL game – the final being in Mexico City, Mexico, on Nov. 21 (The previous three were all played in London, U.K.). The NFL has made it its mission to expand its fanbase; five international games this year is just the start.
Commissioner Roger Goodell hopes to create a Europe-only division, which is excellent news for European football fans who have not had NFL Europe since it was dismantled in 2007.
Notable NFL players who played for European teams
As the anticipation builds for the historic game this weekend, here is a list of notable players that have played for European teams:
James Harrison: LB, Rhein Fire (2004)
Harrison is known for his insane off-season workouts, but did you know he was a member of the Rhein Fire in the NFL European league?
Adam Vinatieri: K, Amsterdam Admirals (1995)
Vinatieri is the first kicker to win four Super Bowls, producing game-winning field goals in two. Vinatieri is regarded as one of the most clutch kickers in NFL history.
William Perry: DL, London Monarchs (1996)
Perry, also nicknamed “The Refrigerator,” was a part of one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history in 1985 when he played for the Chicago Bears. Aside from making highlight plays on both sides of the ball, the refrigerator spent some time playing for the Monarchs.
What Germany can expect from Tom Brady
Germany will watch seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady take snaps this Sunday. The Los Angeles Rams were the victims in Brady’s patented come-from-behind victory yesterday evening.
After trailing 13-9 with 0:44 remaining, Brady would get the ball back with a chance to win the game. From that point, he had four straight completions before finding tight end Cade Otton for the game-winning touchdown.
Brady makes history
Not only did Brady keep the Buccaneers’ playoff hopes alive, but he also reached 100,000 career passing yards – something that seemed to be an unachievable milestone.
“It’s all about the win man; it’s all about the win. I never cared about the [records]. It’s all about the win,”
Brady told the media when asked about his accomplishment.
Looking ahead to Sunday
Brady was incredibly humble in the postgame interview by doubling down on his achievement. For the 45-year-old quarterback, nothing means more to him than winning – earning an eighth Super Bowl ring this year only adds to the list of triumphs we will likely never witness again.
Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles shared his thoughts on the hall of fame quarterback:
“We always have a chance with [Brady], we’re are grateful to have him. He got over a hundred thousand yards; that’s a long-playing career for anybody. He still plays at a high level; we love the guy to death.”
Brady will look to build on this momentum Sunday in front of eager fans at the Allianz Arena.
