NFL sends six players to promote London games
By Cory Buck
The NFL is planning more games than ever for London. In an effort to promote all three games, the team is sending six players overseas to promote the newest deluge of American football action set to arrive in the fall of 2014.
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"“Atlanta Falcons defensive end Osi Umenyiora, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr, Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Will Blackmon, Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake and Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Menelik Watson — are scheduled to be in London this week to promote the three regular-season games that will be played there this season.”"
Umenyiora and Watson are considered slam dunks for this promotional event because the two hail from Britain. Watson was selected in the second round by the Oakland Raiders, making him the highest drafted British football player ever in the NFL. Those two and others will be counted on to spread the word in advance of the three games.
The first of those games pits the Miami Dolphins against the home squad Oakland Raiders on Sept. 28. The second will featured the Detroit Lions playing as the road team against the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 26. The trio finishes on November 9, when the Dallas Cowboys play the Jacksonville Jaguars, who will also be the ‘home team’.
For those less enchanted by the NFL in Europe, get used to it. The team has only furthered its commitment to London both in the schedule and in verbal exchanges. Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL owners love the potential in London and as long as there’s money to be made, expect to see only more regular season games played overseas, in London or elsewhere.