It was the Tom Brady show in Munich on Sunday night, a recognizable sight for many Americans and NFL followers, but in a much less recognizable location.
For the first time ever, an NFL game was played on German soil, a historic moment for the NFL and a historic moment for sport.
Germany for a home game!! Epic experience. #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/abAMew0If6
— Rondé Barber (@rondebarber) November 13, 2022
Tampa Bay’s 21-16 victory over Seattle was a lot less about the actual game and a lot more about the atmosphere.
Buccaneers quarterback and seven-time Super Bowl winner, Tom Brady told reporters: “That was one of the greatest football experiences I’ve ever had” after the match.
A historic win #GoBucs
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) November 13, 2022
The Allianz Arena, in Munich, home to Bayern Munich, was at 69,811 attendees for the event, only around 5,000 under maximum capacity.
Brady goes on: “It says a lot for 23 years in the league and for a regular-season game.
“I think the fan turnout was incredible. It felt, like, very electric from the time we took the field.
“The end of the game, with them singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ and ‘Country Roads,’ that was pretty epic.
“So I think everyone who’s a part of that experience got to have something pretty amazing, (a) memory for the rest of their life.
“So thank you for hosting us, we appreciate it. Thank you.”
With 258 yards and 22 out of 29 passes completed, Brady was putting on a clinic for the German crowd, no-doubt restored to his form from last season by the sheer electricity of the crowd.
The win was not really a surprise, despite his recent form, as it lengthened his undefeated international record to 4-0 and made Germany his fourth country to win an NFL game in.
“I hope the German fans got what they wanted,” Brady told NFL Network’s Sara Walsh.
“Great win by our team, we needed it. We played against a good opponent. Our defense played great and glad we slugged it out and found a way to win.”
“But we’ve got a long way to go, we’re just 5-5, so trying to figure it out, keep grinding and try to get better.”
The Buccaneers next fixture isn’t for another two weeks, so they’ll have plenty of time to improve and practice.
