NFL extends its reach beyond North America with Monday night’s game in Mexico…
In gratitude to Mark, Peter, Alistair and Arturo, who export the NFL to the world.
Three weeks ago the Paddington station in central London had its usual rush. But that morning it was different: there were NFL jerseys everywhere. A businessman here and a couple of Packers jerseys there. A group of youngsters with backpacks and next to them, a family with Steelers’ and 49ers’ jerseys. A parade of tourists arriving from Heathrow and among them jerseys of the Bengals, Cowboys, Saints, Texans, Redskins, Patriots, Vikings and even the Browns! Are there Browns’ fans?!
And the most beautiful scene: a couple in their thirties, she in her red Chiefs’ jersey and he in his blue Giants’ jersey. On the weekend previous to the election in a country across the Atlantic that was divided by ‘red’ states such as Kansas, and ‘blue’ states such as New York, this couple was proof that despite our differences sports are the bridge that unify us.
This sports bridge had also spanned across the English Channel, bringing together fans of an England that had recently chosen to divorce Europe with German, French, and Spanish fans who came to enjoy the 'other' football, one different from their own; with different ball, rules and culture, but enjoyed in the same way.
Wembley Stadium and its iconic arch where the NFL game was played was designed by Populous and Foster and Partners., Rod Sheard of Populous told me that an arch is the most solid way to build a bridge. An arch is also the trajectory of a football pass. The NFL extended its arm and threw a powerful 9.8 million yards pass from Wembley’s sacred turf that pertinently proclaimed with electronic signs, ‘Visit Mexico,’ to the equally sacred grass of the Estadio Azteca. Pass completed. Bridge built. Touchdown!
This weekend the metro stations Zocalo, Insurgentes, Chapultepec, Merced and the one immortalised by the Mexican rock band ‘El Tri,’ that of Metro Balderas, will witness the procession of the jerseys. Jerseys of the 32 NFL teams will be happily worn by tens of thousands of Mexicans mixed with Americans at the same party.
At homes in Mexico and the United States, the TV will be tuned into Monday Night Football to witness a historical event: a wall has not been built between our countries; on the contrary, love of sports has built a friendship bridge.
Let’s hope this Monday Night’s kickoff of the game also kicks off more multinational projects, more international partnerships, more multicultural connections, and more NFL jerseys, next time around a new, wonderful bridge in Monterrey.
Viewpoint and words by: Cesar O. Esparza. CEO, Monterrey International Stadium
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