English say they’re ready now
game in 1987 at Wembley Stadium, and as he put it, his connection to the game certainly has come “full circle.”
That game, part of the American Bowl series of preseason games abroad beginning in 1986, featured the L.A. Rams and the Denver Broncos. That’s the Los Angeles Rams, who of course became the St. Louis Rams but are now back in the City of Angels as they return to London Sunday to face the Giants.
Games had continued at Wembley until 1993, when attendance fell to 45,000 for a CowboysLions preseason tie. Fans wanted regular season games, but the appetite was there.
“That created a fan base,” Reynolds said of the American Bowl series. “Now NFL interest is through the roof.”
Scheduling a London team would perhaps be the biggest hurdle, navigating the travel and bye weeks for both visiting teams and the London franchise to go on the road.
There is less noise these days about the Jacksonville Jaguarsbeing the likely relocating franchise. The Jaguars’ owner, Shahid Khan, also owns Fulham Football Club in the U.K. Adding a 33rd franchise to the mix, though, would seem a difficult task and a potential further watering down of the league as a whole.
Plus, there are reactions from players such as Giants defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison about the prospect of having to face a London team in the fold.
“That’d be tough,” Harrison said. “The road teams would have to go 6-10 hours across the world. I think it would be good for football, but I’d have to stay in the states.”
As Reynolds points out, though, the Indianapolis Colts this season already were back home at 1:30 a.m. local time from their 30-27 loss to the Jaguars at Wembley, not too different than a long trip across the U.S.
Plus, the NFL is testing everything out, from making the Colts play a game the following week – teams usually receive a bye off their London game – to hosting now its first-ever game at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday.
The NFL of course is in constant conversation with local and government authorities about planning and logistics and support for these games, let alone a franchise. But the foundation exists.
“The knowledge of the fans has grown,” Reynolds said, before taking the stage to host a fan event Saturday with Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giants. “We’re ready.” DT (thigh) and CB (ankle) are OUT. (hand) OG and WR (calf) are DOUBTFUL. DE
(ankle) and DE (shoulder) are QUESTIONABLE.