CNN
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An individual sporting a cheese wedge on their head might sound odd to most, however when the Inexperienced Bay Packers are on the town it’s simply half and parcel of sport day.
The Packers performed in London on Sunday, the primary time the franchise has performed within the UK – and the final of the NFL’s 32 groups to play there.
Though a few of London’s video games typically have had break up crowds – with many simply there to observe the game they love – Inexperienced Bay’s sport towards the New York Giants on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was positively a house sport for the group from Wisconsin.
And one jersey particularly was common than the remainder – a inexperienced and yellow one with the identify ‘Rodgers’ and No. 12 on the again.
They’ve all come to observe the good Aaron Rodgers, the NFL’s reigning Most Precious Participant (MVP). And who might blame them, even at 38 years previous he’s nonetheless amongst the league’s greatest quarterbacks.
Earlier than Sunday’s sport, Rodgers expressed his private pleasure to do extra than simply play in London.
“I wished to go over early to expertise a little bit of that tradition, to have the ability to get out, see some sights and work together with followers, go to a pub and have a Guinness or regardless of the native brew is,” he mentioned.
“I’ve been speaking about doing this for years, since they began this – I couldn’t wait to recover from. However no one desires to surrender a Inexperienced Bay dwelling sport, so it’s thrilling to lastly get an opportunity to go over.”
And for individuals who traveled from throughout to see the storied quarterback for the primary time, as many had, they had been handled to a particular first half efficiency by Rodgers, however a quiet second half.
Rodgers threw for 2 touchdowns, one every to Allen Lazard and Marcedes Lewis, because the Packers raced into a primary half lead just for the Giants to come back again and win 27-22.
Inexperienced Bay constructed up a 10-point half-time lead as they appeared to be rolling however some offensive miscues and a few good Giants protection halted the Packers and finally turned the tide in direction of New York.
Giants working again Saquon Barkley continued his robust begin to the season, ending the sport with a landing and 106 whole yards as New York’s protection put the clamps on Rodgers late within the fourth quarter to seal victory.
With beneath two minutes to play, Rodgers had pushed the offense to throughout the Giants 10-yard line. Nevertheless, Giants defensive linemen and linebackers deflected Rodgers’ passes and allowed the Giants to run the clock down.
On the ultimate play of the sport, with only one closing alternative to tug a win out the bag, Rodgers was sacked by Oshane Ximines and fumbled the ball, handing the win to Giants.
It was a day of firsts for a lot of, but in addition simply one other away sport.
Sunday’s sport was the primary London sport between two groups with profitable data.
Inexperienced Bay’s arrival within the UK allowed many to see their favourite quarterback for the primary time. Nevertheless, for some, it was a reunion throughout the Atlantic Ocean.
For Sue, it was one her season’s conventional away sport.
“I attempt to go to 2 or three sport a yr and at the least one away sport and that is our away sport,” she says, additionally explaining that her journey from the US to see her beloved Packers is for an anniversary.
“I’ve been a Packers fan for 41 years. I might say (the NFL’s largest star) is Rodgers, however Tom Brady’s achieved rather well too.”
On the different finish of the size, for Martin and Nicola – each decked out in their very own Rodgers jerseys – they had been proxy followers of the good man for a day.
“I’m not truly a Packers fan. Once I go to a sport, I assist the house group. So I’ve been to loads of video games within the States,” Martin, who says he’s seen loads of nice gamers – together with Brady – in video games within the US, mentioned.
“I used to be right here final week and it was nice.”
After the sport, Rodgers mentioned the reception within the UK was “particular,” saying the environment was like a house sport whereas additionally apologizing for the “disjointed efficiency.”
“The group was unimaginable,” Rodgers informed the media afterwards. “Our followers had been loud on a regular basis, it was excellent. Hopefully the group will get the prospect to come back again and play right here once more. I’m going to recollect it for a very long time.
“I’d love to come back again nevertheless it stays to be seen what number of years away it’s, and the place I’m at.”
Whether or not they’ve come as vacationers to the UK to observe the Packers play in London or they’re watching them play in individual for the primary time, they had been handled to some Rodgers magic, regardless of the end result, in his long-awaited London debut.
