UOG Gladiators Leo Waterfield is loving the rise of American Football in the UK, with the positive effect of the London games after the second NFL London game, where the Broncos beat the Jets 13-11.
“It’s really enjoyable. It was the Vikings versus the Jets last year. I went with a Jets fan, and to watch him cry at the end at full time was pretty fun,” said Waterfield.
“Loads of Minnesota fans came over; they brought the horn over because it was their home game, and the atmosphere was really cool to witness, and it was also really fun to meet people from Minnesota.”
The UOG student started playing the sport in his third year and only then discovered the size of the sport from across the Atlantic.
Harvey Sutcliffe, Aidan Morris, Javid Brown and Leo Waterfield join Bazell with gameday honours #GLOvWOR pic.twitter.com/czV25JikUw
— Gladiators Football (@UOGGladiators) November 26, 2024
“I tried it and then I realised just how big the sport was. It’s definitely growing, and it’s nice to see a lot of success on your doorstep with the likes of SGS Pride, under-18 level, Bristol Aztecs at the adult level.
“UWE Bullets at our level and they’re really pioneering the way for British American football or Britball as we call it.”
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Chris Murray has recently signed for the UWE Bullets, which Waterfield admits is great for the sport, but can have it’s negatives.
“It’s definitely high profile and it’ll bring a lot of eyes towards the sport, but it does raise the argument is, is it growing the sport or is it at the detriment of growing the UK homegrown players and is it safe putting a former NFL, Tampa Bay Buccaneer and Oklahoma Sooner at college level nose tackle against a random 18 year old from Southampton?”
