NFL action returns to Wembley live on Sky Sports

October 10, 2011   ·   0 Comments

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host Chicago Bears in the 2011 annual NFL International Series match at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 23 October, live on Sky Sports HD3.

The Buccaneers lost 35-7 to the New England Patriots at Wembley two years ago in what was a miserable season for the franchise, but the improvements under coach Raheem Morris are such that there are high hopes of making the play-offs this season.

The Buccaneers – who won their only Super Bowl during the 2002 campaign – are led by the offensive trio of quarterback Josh Freeman, running back LeGarrette Blount and wide receiver Mike Williams.

“We are honoured to be selected to participate in the NFL International Series for a second time,” said Buccaneers co-chairman Bryan Glazer. “We are looking forward to promoting Tampa Bay’s emerging young team on the world stage. We have the longest-running fan club of any NFL team in the UK and look forward to seeing so many familiar faces from the Bucs UK fan club at the game.”

The Chicago Bears are founder members of the NFL and one of the most storied and celebrated teams in league history. They also played a huge role in the growth of the sport of American football in the UK as their 1985 Super Bowl-winning team was very popular, featuring characters such as quarterback Jim McMahon, running back Walter Payton and defensive lineman William ‘The Refrigerator’ Perry.

Today’s Bears are led by head coach Lovie Smith and he has high hopes for 2011 after guiding his team to the Super Bowl semi-finals last term. Quarterback Jay Cutler has a cannon for an arm, running back Matt Forte is among the best in the NFL and the defence is a dominant unit led by star linebacker Brian Urlacher.

“To return to London to play an NFL game – this is going to be fun,” said Chicago Bears chairman Michael McCaskey. “I remember how enthusiastic the fans were in 1986 when we played in Wembley Stadium and defeated the Dallas Cowboys. London fans were so welcoming and blended their traditions of singing soccer songs with the NFL-style of presenting games. Of course the Chicago Bears are very pleased to have been named the ‘Team of the Year’ by UK fans following the 2010 season. So we are looking forward to facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in October and playing in person before our terrific fans in the UK and Europe.”

“Our past four games in London have demonstrated the tremendous passion for NFL football that exists in the UK,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We hope by staging another extraordinary game at Wembley that we can continue to grow our existing fan base and attract even more new fans.”

The 23 October meeting between Tampa Bay and Chicago will be the fifth competitive NFL game held in London and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports HD3 from 5.30pm (kick off 6pm).  Mark Chapman will present highlights of the game on BBC One at 11.40pm.

Tags: BBC Sport, Chicago Bears, International Series, NFL, Sky Sports, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Wembley Stadium