The 49th edition of the Super Bowl takes place in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday February 1, as American Football Conference winners New England Patriots battle it out with National Football Conference winners Seattle Seahawks for the ultimate NFL prize at the University of Phoenix Stadium. It’s been another long and hard campaign in the NFL, and there is little surprise that it is the Patriots and reigning Super Bowl champions the Seahawks that are the last two teams standing ahead of the NFL showcase this weekend. Throughout the season we’ve been asking readers for their best experiences of the NFL. With the growing popularity of NFL in the UK, proven by the rising number of International Matches being played outside of the United States, four UK spectators share their perspectives below.
Shem Harper had always wanted to see a live NFL game, having become a fan of the sport after attending a Super Bowl party in his native Manchester, UK. “Fortunately my holiday to the US Northwest coincided with a home game for the Seattle Seahawks. I did not hesitate getting a couple of tickets for my girlfriend and I for the game against the Denver Broncos, despite them costing well over $1000 dollars.” The game was a close one with quarterback Russell Wilson proving to be the difference between the two sides for the Seahawks, finally steering the home team to a 26-20 overtime win after his counterpart Peyton Manning had got the Broncos right back into the game with a couple of late touchdown passes.
So who, according to Shem, will be triumphing in this year’s Super Bowl? “Having been entertained so well by the Seahawks, I would love them to triumph again this year, but I fear that Tom Brady and the Patriots will be too strong for the Seattle side this time around.”
Sticking with the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks Rob McGovern tells the story of how his first visit to Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver coincided with a spectacular stormy Colorado sky that threatened to abandon a pre-season friendly between the two sides. “I’m originally from Britain, but currently residing in Macao, and on witnessing my first NFL game I was completely taken by the overall spectacle. I spent a lot of time comparing the gathered NFL crowd to a football crowd back in the UK while soaking up the party atmosphere.”
Rob also suspects that the New England Patriots will have too much for the Seahawks this season, as they have been particularly strong and impressive throughout the campaign. Whichever way it goes it is sure to be a brilliant spectacle.
It’s not only the NFL players that have to go through a pre-season. Stuart Fuller shared his experience of a friendly between the New York Jets and the Indianapolis Colts, with the Jet cheerleaders (also known as ‘The Flight Crew’) seemingly glad to be back at The MetLife Stadium. “Pre-season NFL fixtures as ‘strange affairs,’ as regular season ticket holders who are asked to buy tickets for pre-season friendlies on top of their actual season ticket often try to sell these tickets online. So I picked up a ticket for $10 dollars on Stub Hub and soaked up some pre-season NFL action. The first quarter of a friendly is arguably the most exciting, as this is when the first team players are usually put through their paces. The remainder of the game gives other squad players a chance to play themselves into contention and get used to the pace of the NFL as opposed to the college football experience most are accustomed to.”
No matter who lifts the 49th Super Bowl trophy, Stuart will be cheering on the Seahawks this weekend.
More and more NFL matches are arriving on these shores in terms of International Series Games every season, and that is something which suits NFL enthusiast Sam Blakeman just fine. “I seized the opportunity to witness San Francisco 49ers beat hosts Jacksonville Jaguars 42-10 at Wembley Stadium a couple of years ago. I am currently based in Wigan, but have travelled down to London five times to see NFL games in recent seasons. My best memory is of the Minnesota Vikings fans blowing their horns after every touchdown or field goal their team scored. I support the New York Giants and also play American football actively as a defensive end for local club Lancashire Wolverines. I think the increasing number of NFL games in London is great for the sport and great for the UK and European fans. We hope to see a London franchise soon.”
With slight concerns over Russell Wilson’s fitness, Sam predicts that the New England Patriots will take full advantage and that Tom Brady will guide the team to a fourth Super Bowl championship.
