An NFL game to remember in Germany
The Buccaneers defeated the Seahawks in the NFL’s first ever game in Munich, Germany on Sunday, but it was the fans who made it so memorable.
“That was one of the great football experiences I’ve ever had.” Those were Tom Brady’s words following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 21-16 defeat over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in Munich, Germany.
That does say a lot given that Brady has spent 23 years in the league and won seven Super Bowls. Sunday’s Bucs vs Seahawks game was the first NFL game to ever be played in Germany, and after what happened there, I don’t think it will be the last.
Tampa Bay came away with a 21-16 win over the Seahawks in front of a sold-out crowd of 69,811 fans at Allianz Arena in Munich. The fans provided the atmosphere, cheering and singing along to American songs like “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Sweet Caroline” even after the game had ended.
“It’s so great to have the NFL here in Germany,” said one fan. “We will show the NFL over the next years that they have so many options to have more games here.”
It wasn’t just German fans - some even drove all the way from Holland in order to see the spectacle. Tom Brady made it worth it for the fans, with a performance he hasn’t had all season. Brady has been having one of his worst seasons in decades, but on Sunday, he completed 22 of 29 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns. He is now undefeated in international games, having competed in three different countries - the UK, Mexico, and now Germany (the only quarterback to start and win a game in three countries outside the US).
“Tom Brady, I mean, as a Seahawks fan, you’ve got to admit, the guy is probably the best quarterback the NFL has ever seen,” said another fan in Munich. “I would love to have a Tom Brady on the team, but unfortunately we’ve got Geno [Smith], so I will take him for the season.”