More than 330 players and coaches will carry the flag from 70 countries to celebrate international diversity in weeks 7 and 8 of the NFL season, the League reported this Thursday.
“This initiative allows us to celebrate the heritage, families and cultures that make up the structure of the League. It shows the growing reach and global impact that American football and the NFL have had,” he said Peter O’Reillyexecutive vice president of international business and events for the NFL.
Players will wear a decal with the flag of the nation in which they have roots on the back of their helmet, next to the United States flag; Coaches will wear patches sewn onto their sweatshirts.
Among the stars who will participate in this initiative are Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua, who will carry the Samoan flag; Fred Warner, linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, will wear that of Mexico; Chris Olave, receiver for the New Orleans Saints, from Cuba.
“My grandmother was born and raised in Samoa, she passed away in 2021 and this is something incredible because I feel like she will be there on the field. I am proud to play for all our fans in my country and I hope to inspire future generations of Samoans,” confided Puka Nacua.
Patriots defensive back Christian González will not see action due to injury, but that will not stop him from showing off his Colombian roots.
The coaches who will join are led by Bill Belichick, coach of the New England Patriots, who is the grandson of Croatian Ivan Belicic; and Ron Rivera, of the Washington Commanderswho is the son of a Puerto Rican man and a Mexican woman.
“I am very proud of my roots and happy to honor my heritage by representing Puerto Rico and Mexico through the NFL Heritage program. It is a fantastic way to show the love for this game around the world,” said Ron Rivera.
The teams with the largest number of players that will participate in this program are the Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions with 18 elements each. Week 7 of the NFL will start this Thursday and end next Monday; The 8th will take place between the 26th and 30th of this month.
2023-10-20 00:22:54
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