What do Steelers fans think about the NFL International games in London?

[SoccerSaint]

Greetings all,

I am an Englishman, trying valiantly to learn and appreciate football, as you guys call it

My primary sport is soccer; my team is Southampton FC (the 'Saints') so I would like to get a general feeling for how die-hard football fans view the NFL's drive to promote the sport overseas, particularly in London.

Do you guys approve of the idea to hold a game from the regular season overseas? Or not?

If the English Premier League decided to hold a Saints game in Pittsburgh I got to tell you, I would be in two minds. Sure, there is the revenue aspect, but then there is just the huge cringe factor of seeing so-called 'fans' supporting a team from a city - indeed a country - that they have no connection to whatsoever.

For what it is worth, I will be cheering on the Steelers when you play the Vikings in London in a few days. If for no other reason that I have actually been to Pittsburgh but I couldn't even find Minnesota on a map!

Be interested to hear your thoughts on these international games.

cheers fellas,
Hugh

[Oviedo]

The Steelers are a worldwide phenomenon. As long as we don't lose a home game (Vikings lost one for this), I don't care where they play since I watch on TV anyway. I was in London two weeks ago and would have loved if the game was then.

[flippy]

i just feel bad you are getting 2 0-3 teams playing there. i think its great. london is an awesome city. but i do think that the locals might enjoy an NFL game about as much as we'd be interested in a soccer match in the US. curious, is there much interest in the NFL over there? i've never talked american football with any of my british friends.

[papillon]

In the NFL each team gets a "bye" week on their schedule, which means they don't play a game, it's a chance to get injuries healed, relax with family, etc before you get back to the grind of the season. As long as the teams that play in London have their "bye" week following the game, I'm fine with playing London, Munich, Barcelona, or wherever. This gives the teams a chance to recover from the game and the travel and be fresh for their next game.

Pappy

[Oviedo]

i just feel bad you are getting 2 0-3 teams playing there. i think its great. london is an awesome city. but i do think that the locals might enjoy an NFL game about as much as we'd be interested in a soccer match in the US. curious, is there much interest in the NFL over there? i've never talked american football with any of my british friends.

Flip--some of us Americans love soccer and would go to matches here in the US. Not as much as football (US) but if you just let yourself learn the game and understand it you would be amazed how entertaining it is to watch.

[SoccerSaint]

i just feel bad you are getting 2 0-3 teams playing there. i think its great. london is an awesome city. but i do think that the locals might enjoy an NFL game about as much as we'd be interested in a soccer match in the US. curious, is there much interest in the NFL over there? i've never talked american football with any of my british friends.

There is huge interest in the NFL. The Steelers v Vikings game at Wembley sold out (90,000 tickets) in 4 hours. Most of those attending will almost certainly not know the rules of the game completely like you guys, but anything glitzy and American tends to sell well in London!

Also, the BBC have the rights to screen the Super Bowls live and baring in mind that the coverage starts at 11pm British time and ends at about 4am on what is then a Monday morning would you be amazed to learn that over 4 million people watched at least up to half time?

[SoccerSaint]

Flip--some of us Americans love soccer and would go to matches here in the US. Not as much as football (US) but if you just let yourself learn the game and understand it you would be amazed how entertaining it is to watch.

On Sunday evening I watched the following games live from my sitting room here in England:

Manchester City v Manchester United
AC Milan v Napoli
PSG (Paris) v Monaco
and then to cap it off...
NY Red Bulls v Dallas something-or-otherems

It is exciting to be able to watch live sport where ever it happens in the world. A lot of American soccer players play in the English leagues.

We get a good and growing NFL live games too. Just wish the broadcasters would spend 30 minutes focussing on the British audience who don't know much about the game rules. That is always going to be the critical-mass-point, everyone will watch something once especially if it is a glitzy spectacle but to get them hooked they need to be spoon-fed the rules and history of the game.

[SoccerSaint]

What is a 0-3 team? Why is it bad that both teams playing in London are 0-3 teams?

[flippy]

Flip--some of us Americans love soccer and would go to matches here in the US. Not as much as football (US) but if you just let yourself learn the game and understand it you would be amazed how entertaining it is to watch.

I like soccer and have been to a few matches. But the ones I've gone to in the US, the fans seemed about as into the game as a minor league baseball game. For some reason, it just doesn't seem to be a sport that Americans (the masses) are into. I'd go to an EPL match if one came to my town for sure.

[Ghost]

First of all - are the Saints going to take care of business against Crystal Palace this weekend, a team that just moved up to the Premier League.

0-3 is the wins and losses record. So both the Steelers and Vikings have 0 wins and 3 losses.

And Flippy - the Premier League is on all the time here in the US. Starting 2 years ago I would be up with my newborn (now 2.5) at an unholy hour on Saturday mornings and always appreciated there being a game on. Used to start as early as 7:30 am. I still watch Saturday mornings. And NBC Sports and Fox Soccer Network also both routinely play the Premiere games in HD. If you can get past the diving and low scoring, it really rather amazing the level of athlete and the insane skill they posses.

[flippy]

What is a 0-3 team? Why is it bad that both teams playing in London are 0-3 teams?

Both teams aren't playing well this year. The both have 0 wins and 3 losses so far this season.

[Ghost]

Other questions -

Why are the home and awy colors so different? your team is mostly Red for home games and then Black/White for away. Arsenal is Red/White at home but then go with Yellow/Blue when away (what the....)

And why do some teams have nicknames - Saints and others don't?

Been a couple years since I was in London but I remember liking the cask ale: Doom Bar and Fuller's ESB. I wrote down a list of the ones I tried. Dont' remember disliking any of them,

[SoccerSaint]

Other questions -

Why are the home and awy colors so different? your team is mostly Red for home games and then Black/White for away. Arsenal is Red/White at home but then go with Yellow/Blue when away (what the....)

And why do some teams have nicknames - Saints and others don't?

Been a couple years since I was in London but I remember liking the cask ale: Doom Bar and Fuller's ESB. I wrote down a list of the ones I tried. Dont' remember disliking any of them,

Ah, well first yes, we will turn Palace over. First we must get past Bristol City in the League cup tonight - 1-0 so far, so good!

The away colours are black/white for this season. Traditionally they have been yellow and blue trunks. The reason is, when a team plays away and the home team's colours are too similar to the visiting team's home colours then they have to use a different colour scheme. When Saints visit Chelsea (who play in blue) then the away colours are not needed and we will play in the main club colours of red and white because it stands out against blue.

Most clubs have nicknames, just some are used more often. The Saints have always been referred to in the press and neutrals as such whereas Manchester United are just referred to as 'Man U' or 'United'. Their nickname is actually the 'Red Devils'.

The nickname is really only that - a nickname. It is not part of the official name. If the Steelers were an English team we would usually just refer to the team as 'Pittsburgh'. Hull City have just gained promotion to the EPL. Their nickname is 'the tigers'. The owner wants to rename the club officially as the Hull Tigers which would mean the media would be obliged (under broadcasting licence rights) to refer to the thusly. The fans HATE the idea. To them it is awful, they may refer colloquially as their team as 'the tigers' but would never stomach an official rebranding.

As for the real ale, yes both excellent ales. Doom Bar is Cornish beer - from Cornwall. Lovely clear water down there.. Fuller's is a London brewer. I think they ship London Pride to the States in bottles. When I was in Pittsburgh I had a really tasty local brew. Long time ago, can't remember the name for the life of me.

[flippy]

Other questions -

Why are the home and awy colors so different? your team is mostly Red for home games and then Black/White for away. Arsenal is Red/White at home but then go with Yellow/Blue when away (what the....)

And why do some teams have nicknames - Saints and others don't?

Been a couple years since I was in London but I remember liking the cask ale: Doom Bar and Fuller's ESB. I wrote down a list of the ones I tried. Dont' remember disliking any of them,

I remember Fullers being one of favs. And my favorite part of London was every last client/partner wanted to go to the pub for pints around 11 am everyday. I have no idea how any business guy in London ever gets any work done

[Sword]

Hi Mate,

Sure, I have no problem with it. Good to here you will be cheering for the Steelers! You picked the right team....
We arguably have the largest fan base in the NFL.

Your in for a treat!! Wish I would be there for the game when they turn things around and finally win one!!