American football's popularity growing across UK: 'We will watch until like 1 a.m.'
· Yahoo Sports
NFL fever is crossing the pond, and it's not just the pros making a play. American football is taking off in the U.K., with more Brits getting in on the action.
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When most people think of football in the U.K., they think of the English Premier League. But a growing community of players and fans has embraced the North American version of the sport.
According to the NFL, roughly 18 million people in the United Kingdom consider themselves fans of American football.
And many of them are doing more than watching games.
"It's an amateur league. We all play it because we love it and not because of any money. We're not paid to be in it," said Keenan Dieobi of the London Blitz. "Britain has become big enough that people are finding opportunities to play elsewhere, from starting off in the Blitz to going into Europe, professional teams, college teams and all the way to the NFL."
The London Blitz competes within the British American Football Association, which encompasses teams competing across three levels. Their season runs March to September.
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When players aren't on the field, they're often staying up late to watch NFL games from across the Atlantic.
"Some days start at 6 p.m., and we will watch until like 1 a.m., 2 a.m. Monday morning and then go back into work just because we love football," Dieobi said.
The enthusiasm for the sport continues to grow as the NFL expands its international presence and hosts regular-season games in London.
That passion will be on full display this weekend when the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 9:30 a.m. EDT.