Last week I went to see the 'UK's Superbowl'… the regular NFL season game between the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Firstly, I have to say this about Wembley - it truly is an awesome stadium!! Granted, I only ever experienced the shite facilities at the old Wembley once before but the new Wembley positively blows it away. The stadium looks amazing inside and the facilities were top drawer. It would've been nice to have retained the 'Twin Towers' in some way but the arch does look impressive when lit up at night. My opinion that it was a bit gimmicky proved totally wrong.
As for the game itself. A bit one-sided unfortunately. New England were coming off the back of a 59-0 spanking of Tennessee in Week 6 and obviously full of confidence while Tampa Bay came in to the match played 6, lost 6. All the ingredients for a drubbing. Tampa Bay did score a great touchdown in the 2nd quarter but the result was never in doubt and the Pats ran out comfortable winners, 35-7.
It must be said that the American's know how to throw an event. The razzamatazz that surrounds US sport was there for all to see and did not disappoint. As a follower of English football and American 'Gridiron', the Yanks really do show us up when it comes to sporting events. I know we have tried to copy the American way with cricket and rugby league, i.e. the way we name our teams and the introduction of cheerleaders. But personally, I'm always left cringing a bit when I see half a dozen frozen cheerleaders, dancing out of sync at some wet and windy rugby field in deepest, darkest Yorkshire. It's an American thing which they absolutely excel at but to be quite honest, it's just don't think it's the English way.
Getting back to Wembley. After the game when we started making our back up 'Wembley Way', looking at the tens of thousands of people making there way back towards the tube station did fill me with the thoughts that I'd be there all night. But, much kudos to the mounted Police and organisers at Wembley that controlled the crowds so well. Just over half an hour after leaving the stadium I was on the tube back to central London. Smashing.
I'm really disappointed I didn't manage to get tickets for the two previous International Series matches at Wembley. But, now that I made it this year, I'm aiming to make it every year from now on. Fingers crossed the Philadelphia Eagles will be making a visit to these shores soon.
