Programmes at NFL matches?

[derby1884]

Never miss the NFL on the telly if I can help it - even at 2am GMT - but just realised I have no idea whether or not there are actual programmes issued at the games.

If there were, would love to subscribe to that of my beloved Colts!

Anyone know?

Might be heresy to say this on here but hey ho, in 30 years of watching the NFL, I've yet to sit through a "boring" game. Always so much going on.
Having dozed off through this week's interminable run of 'vital' European fixtures involving a Man City who couldn't care less, a Barcelona side who decided just about everybody needed a "rest" and a Newcastle who treated their tournament with barely-disguised contempt in terms of the line-up they put out, I can't help but think that "football" has long forgotten its unwritten commitment to its those who fund it with their admission fee.

Even the worst of the NFL teams - Kansas City, Oakland, Jacksonville - could never be accused of taking the piss. Maybe that's because they genuinely fear the consequences. Or perhaps it's because they're simply not as full of their own importance.

Yeah, I know. Whatever.
_________________
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derby1884/sets/

[sharrowblade]

derby1884 wrote:

Never miss the NFL on the telly if I can help it - even at 2am GMT - but just realised I have no idea whether or not there are actual programmes issued at the games.

Yes, they do

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NFL-.....53f04db99a
_________________
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharrowblade/sets
A Sheffield United Programme guide

[Ugarte5]

They do issue programmes, but the few I have seen from the Patriots appear very poor compared to what we have become used to. Much of the content seems to stay static from match-to-match with little in the way of interesting editorial. Most clubs seem to issue under the standard Gameday banner but I don't know whether different teams make more of an effort with content than others.

I've got a spare Pats v Chargers programme from a few years ago you can have if interested. Just PM me your address and I'll pop it in the post.

The programmes from the Superbowl are much more interesting. I've been trying to build a complete collection but it's difficult finding affordable programmes issued at the game as opposed to the versions available in newsagents over here.

[Tynie Topics]

I do have some lying around somewhere from the late 80's/early 90's that someone used to send over from the States, inc Superbowl ones.

I'll try and dig them out of there is interest.
_________________
https://www.flickr.com/photos/footballprogrammes/albums

[highlandjambo]

I have a few super bowl programmes, and a used to collect The Touchdown mag as well, still in the house somewhere, and A Raiders fan as well they are crap this last few years.

[sharrowblade]

derby1884 wrote:

If there were, would love to subscribe to that of my beloved Colts!

Aren't the Colts, the NFLs version of the MK Dons
_________________
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharrowblade/sets
A Sheffield United Programme guide

[GreatBarrWolf]

Another Raiders fans here going back to the 80's when they were a decent team - but like any dedicated football fan you stick with your team don't you.

I have a number of Superbowl programmes myself from both sides of the Atlantic. The issues you get in the UK are the same as those in the US with less adverts.

Superbowl programmes may be big issues in terms of pages - approaching 300 pages per issue - but are heavy in advertising with 45%-50% being adverts. Add in the photgraphic content and there must be only 15%-20% reading comment in the issue.

I am on the lookout for pre 1990's Superbowl programmes if anyone has any spares.

[Senior82]

Maybe we need a separate NFL thread. I like to watch the game but I record them and fast forward the 2 hours of crap out of the three you get in a game. Can't be doing with umpteen replays each play.

Been watching Green Bay but I'm not sure I can strike a chord with them, which team should I support?! (The London Lions/Knights/Jaguars/etc aren't around yet!!)
_________________
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eagleowlprogrammes/

[sharrowblade]

I've watched the NFL since 1982.

Its Green Bay all the way for me
_________________
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharrowblade/sets
A Sheffield United Programme guide

[paulo]

I am a big Giants fan and watch far more NFL than I do football.

I have done all but one of the games at Wembley and have tickets for the next two. I have a thread up in the other sports section as I am looking for a few bits from the NFL Wembley games if anyone can help?

[derby1884]

Senior82 wrote:

Been watching Green Bay but I'm not sure I can strike a chord with them, which team should I support?! (The London Lions/Knights/Jaguars/etc aren't around yet!!)

Thanks for all the replies - I only started following the Colts because, as is the British way, I like the underdog and, back in the 80s, the Colts were hopeless.
Funny thing is, when I started this thread, I wrote that everyone in the NFL gives 100% - and then on Sunday, I sat thru the Cardinals game where they lost 58-0 and were giving around 5% effort. If that.

As to who to support, perhaps go by the crowds? At some grounds, they're really loud, boisterous and down-to-earth (Browns, Seahawks), others can be aloof and seemingly dispassionate (Cowboys, Bucs).
Much of that is, I believe, down to the climate the teams play their home games in.

Stick to the AFC North - there you get games in all weathers. Lots of mud and snow. Lots of running as opposed to passing. Very British!
Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinatti.
Pick one of them....
_________________
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derby1884/sets/

[sharrowblade]

Incidentally, I'm 83,444th on the waiting list for a Green Bay Season ticket. Unfortunately, on average they only issue on average less than a hundred a year, so I've got to wait 840 odd years.
_________________
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharrowblade/sets
A Sheffield United Programme guide

[Tynie Topics]

The very first NFL game I saw was in 1985 on C4, New England Patriots against somebody. The Pats won and got to the Superbowl that year so I began keeping an eye out for their results [despite having England in their name.......].

They were generally rubbish if truth be told, and as usually happens, I began to lose interest in the NFL just as they began to be succesful! Never really re-captured the bug

I went to a few American Bowls at Wmebley in the early 90's and the one games Stateside I have been to was the LA Rams v Pheonix Cardinals in 1989 in a pre-season game at Anaheim Stadium. I think I'm right in saying both those teams have moved?

Bloody franchising......
_________________
https://www.flickr.com/photos/footballprogrammes/albums

[sharrowblade]

Tynie Topics wrote:

I went to a few American Bowls at Wmebley in the early 90's and the one games Stateside I have been to was the LA Rams v Pheonix Cardinals in 1989 in a pre-season game at Anaheim Stadium. I think I'm right in saying both those teams have moved? Bloody franchising......

You are indeed Tynie, ironically, the Cardinals used to be in St Louis and now the Rams are in St Louis.

I started watching in 82, 1st game Packers v Giants. I liked the idea that nobody wanted to play in Green Bay. Not even their own players
_________________
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharrowblade/sets
A Sheffield United Programme guide

[derby1884]

What totally baffles me about the sport over there is the level below the NFL - the colleges.
Some of these matches draw huge crowds (Notre Dame v Texas A&M, for instance) and I know the best players end up in the NFL draft but I can't get my head round the idea of supporting a team which represents a university and not a town/city.
_________________
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derby1884/sets/

[Texas Ranger]

I have a couple of Dallas Cowboys programmes from games I attended. They are large , glossy editions.

Regarding the college football comment, you have to keep in mind that the Alumni aspect is huge in the USA. Many are proud of the college they attend(ed) and follow the teams long after they have graduated. Also a big percentage of Americans prefer college sports to pro-sports and are incredibly loyal to their old college. There are also a lot of fierce hstorical rivalries.

Many of the. Stadiums hold in excess of 80-90,000 and a few over 100,000.

[tufcprogs]

Arizona Cardinal's fan here.

Also follow the American Football National League here in the UK. My local team do issue!