Paris Musketeers see NFL game as chance to boost American football

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 22:02 · Archive

An NFL game between New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers in France is hoped to inspire interest in American football among French youngsters.

Hugo Tekedam, a wide receiver for the Paris Musketeers, hopes Sunday's NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers will inspire French youngsters to take up American football. Though a star player, Tekedam says he is probably past the point of having NFL dreams himself, but remains hopeful for the next generation. 'It's a great opportunity. You've got to get the people interested,' the 24-year-old said.

American football is barely on the French sports radar, which is dominated by soccer. Other sports like rugby, basketball, cycling and tennis are also popular. The Saints-Steelers game could nudge American football forward and shine a light on the Musketeers, who describe themselves as France's first fully professional American football team. The Musketeers play in the European Football Alliance, which recently completed its inaugural season.

John Booker, the Musketeers' general manager, expressed confidence that the game would drive awareness of the sport. 'What we have experienced the last four years, once you get somebody interested, they remain interested,' he said. 'They really enjoy the sport, they enjoy the atmosphere. And obviously the NFL is the best in the world at that, in this sport, the atmosphere and everything that comes with it.' The French federation of American football has reported growth in recent years, but the sport has only hundreds of clubs compared with France's estimated 12,000 amateur soccer clubs.

How it is being reported

• Paris Musketeers team sees NFL game as a chance to boost American football in FranceHugo Tekedam hopes Sunday’s game between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers provides inspiration to French youngsters.Clickorlando · 24 Oct, 21:46
• Paris Musketeers team sees NFL game as a chance to boost American football in FranceHugo Tekedam hopes Sunday’s game between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers provides inspiration to French youngsters.News4Jax · 24 Oct, 21:46

In this story: Hugo Tekedam · Paris Musketeers · New Orleans Saints · Pittsburgh Steelers · John Booker · France · European Football Alliance

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