The NFL’s desire to boost its profile in England certainly has the support of one famous athlete there.
Former England rugby captain Martin Johnson, who led the team to the World Cup title in 2003, has been a fan of American football for 25 years.
“It’s been part of my life since I was growing up,” Johnson said on Thursday on the sidelines of the San Diego Chargers practice session outside London. “There is a hardcore support for the game over here.”
PHOTO: AP
The Chargers will play the New Orleans Saints tomorrow at Wembley Stadium — the second straight year that the NFL is staging a regular-season game in the British capital. And for the second straight year, the game is sold out.
The 38-year-old Johnson, now England’s team manager, has been using his American football expertise — he used to do commentary on NFL games for British TV — to teach others about the game.
“I was trying to explain how the positions equate to our sport,” said Johnson, the 2m tall former lock who figured he would have been a defensive lineman or tight end in American football.
“As a game, generally it’s all about territory. It’s about control of the ball, scoring points, deception. In some ways it’s very different. In some ways you can see the similarities,” he said.
While some aspects of the game may not be far apart, Johnson still thinks it will be difficult for it to progress on a local level in Britain.
“Compared to going out with a football or soccer ball — kicking that around — or even a rugby ball, it’s a harder game to coach. You need specialist equipment,” Johnson said. “That’s the cultural difference with what we’re used to.”
Jason Brisbane, a 25-year-old Londoner, has successfully bridged that gap. Brisbane is a member of the Chargers practice squad, which means he takes part in training but not games.
Still, Johnson is happy to see the NFL come back to London.
“All our sports try and go around the world and spread the word, so I’m sure they’re trying to do the same thing,” he said. “It’s like a global market now.”
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