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American Football and me

In September 1982 the NFL exploded on to Britain’s TV screens as Channel 4 began American Football’s first regular weekly slot. The effect of that hour-long TV slot took Channel 4, the American producers, and the viewing public by complete surprise. The result was the creation of more than one hundred British American Football teams, thousands of players, and millions of fans watching at home. I was one of those fans. It was tuning in during the early 1980s at 6pm on Sunday nights to watch the excellent Nicky Horne present the gridiron action that sparked my interest in the American sport.

In those days I there was no one team that I supported outright. I was a huge fan of the rushing game so this influenced the teams I had some affection for. But so too did simpler matters like the colours of the uniforms or logos. The three teams that I held in greatest affection were the Washington Redskins, LA Raiders (as they were then), and the New England Patriots.

The NFL as I first knew it

The NFL as I first knew it

The Redskins had a Running Back called John Riggins on the roster, who seemingly ploughed his way through defences, tackles bouncing off him. His nickname of “The Diesel” was fitting, and his appetite to repeatedly carry the ball for yard after yard fired my admiration of him. Riggins was the key reason I liked the Redskins, but I also thought their burgundy and gold uniforms were great too.

Similarly it was a Running Back that made me look out for the Raiders’ games and results. His name was Marcus Allen. I particularly enjoyed the way he would leap over the line of scrimmage at goal-line plays or when short yardage gains were needed. Again the Raiders silver and black uniform, and the logo of a pirate with an eye-patch in a old style helmet was appealing to me.

It was the Patriots name and colours that made me look out for their results. I liked the red, white and blue colours, particularly the red shirts, and the “Pat Patriot” logo which was used until 1992 when the team colours were changed to the terrible blue and silver.

I think it was Christmas of 1983 when one of my presents was an American football. In hindsight it should have gone back to the shop as it was clearly faulty, always requiring pumping up. But as kids you ignore these difficulties and just get on with it. There would be four of us who would regularly do our best to play Amfoot, as we called it, on Wolstanton Marsh.

Channel 4's American Football annuals

Channel 4’s American Football annuals

Other prized presents were the two Channel 4 American Football annuals I received, and I’d use pocket money to buy Gridiron UK and the First Down weekly newspaper. It was finding the November 1985 edition of Gridiron UK on eBay which sparked all this American Football nostalgia, and a feeling of horror that it was 27 years ago when I owned the same edition as a teenager!

During the 1990s other things like university and work got in the way, and other than watching the occasional Super Bowl or the highlights I didn’t follow American Football very closely at all. It took a direct connection to the USA to reignite my interest. I was surprised to find new teams, or teams I had known in the 1980s had moved to other cities.

In 2007 I met my wife Tina, and in 2008 I visited her several times in the USA. I finally had a tangible link to one particular team in the NFL. Seeing as Tina lived in Jacksonville, and I went on to live there too for six months, I became a Jaguars fan. Support your local club!

Jaguars' new running back? Jax Beach 2008

Jaguars’ new running back? Jax Beach 2008

In December 2008 I actually went to see them play, and while finances did not allow a return to the stadium during the six months I was there in 2009, I watched their games and any others I could find that were being broadcast for free. Back in the UK I usually follow their games by using online radio stations.

I still have a bit of a soft spot for the Redskins and the Raiders, but the Patriots became too successful for me plus there’s that awful kit! I also have an affinity with the Green Bay Packers that I never had as a youth because they are owned by the fans and not one individual, and of course they play in green! It is a Packers green woolly hat with a big G on the front that keeps me warm when I’m leafleting with the Green Party. (Forgive me Jags). But while they remain in Jacksonville, it is the Jaguars who will remain my number one, their 2 wins and 14 losses this season in keeping with my long standing tradition of supporting the underdog!

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