The New England Patriots and their American fans thought they knew what to expect for their Deutschland debut and the week building up to it after watching two previous NFL games in Germany.
Passionate supporters were a given, as evidenced by the frenzy around ticket sales for the Week 10 game in Frankfurt and the amount of people who registered for the team’s schedule of activations. The audience would be ready to sing “Sweet Caroline,” and the Patriots content team explored attempting to secure licensing rights to “Country Roads, Take Me Home” in order to use the sound captured when everyone in Deutsche Bank Park shouted it out in unison.
The ability of the German national song to elicit instant goosebumps was maybe less anticipated. Not everyone in the sold-out crowd of 50,144 knew the language, let alone the lyrics, but the way it sounded – chanted loudly by fans around the stadium – made it difficult to tell.
The moment set the tone for the rest of an admittedly boring football game – in fact, the lowest-scoring game of the 2023 season. Because, regardless of the outcome, no one in attendance could deny that the fan experience was unforgettable.
The show of patriotism and devotion to the New England Patriots gave the team every incentive to increase its investment in the DACH region. Looking back over the last two weeks, it encapsulated all those fans had to offer the NFL.
“Awesome experience. Today’s turnout was incredible. The vitality. “I was surprised, but I thought it was fantastic,” Patriots captain Matthew Slater said following the team’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
“Many thanks to the German supporters.” Thank you to Germany for welcoming us. We almost had a fantastic time. We had a nice time until the game, but I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
Slater was present during the Patriots’ previous international trip to London in 2012. David Andrews, another team leader, was making his first trip abroad.
“Excellent ambiance. Despite difficulties, the center expressed gratitude for the organization’s reach.
“I missed the last international game, and I appreciate all of the support from the fans and over here.” I consider myself fortunate to play for a fantastic organization with a fantastic fan base.”
Patriots supporters flocked from all over the world to see their favorite team play in Europe, resulting in a large crowd by the conclusion of the week. It was, at long last, a proper home game for the Germans. This alien land made Americans, particularly those from New England, feel perfectly at home.
When they arrived in Frankfurt, they discovered a city comparable to Boston in that it is situated around a river, has prestigious colleges and hospitals, and balances its old Gothic and Renaissance architecture and deep political past with a bustling financial sector and a new skyline of skyscrapers in the Westend.
Julian Wagner, a German, came only 70 kilometers north to witness the game and meet other fans at the Patriots Haus, a three-day event held at the Hilton Frankfurt City Centre.
Fans gathered to take photos with all six Super Bowl trophies, Pat Patriot, and the cheerleaders, win giveaways, listen to a live radio show hosted by the Patriots Unfiltered, and meet legendary players such as Sebastian Vollmer, Vince Wilfork, Rob Nikovich, Malcolm Butler, and even Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft.
Wagner was among the many who turned up for the Patriots Haus’s opening night on Wednesday.
“My favorite event this weekend was the Patriots Haus,” Wagner said, according to Patriots.com. “It was just great to meet lots of fans, exchange ideas, and simply celebrate this great club with former players.”
Wagner’s uncle was his introduction to American football.
His grandfather immigrated to Albany, New York from Germany. They returned in 1962, but not before his uncle, who was born in the United States, became enamored with the sport. This link to the United States was passed down to Wagner through stories and images, making him feel “American at heart” as a result of his close friendship with his uncle.
“I had a very close relationship with my uncle.” He first exposed me to American football. “I wasn’t a fan of any particular team at first; I just liked the game,” Wagner explained.
“However, on his last Christmas in 2012, my uncle gave me a New England Patriots jacket.” Unfortunately, dad died of illness in January 2013, but the jacket I received as a present converted me become a Patriots supporter. I wore this garment to the game on Sunday as well, so I had my uncle with me.”
Wagner said that his second child was born on August 3rd, the same day that future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady was born.
He quickly wrapped the newborn in a No. 12 jersey, which was fitting.
“Of course, I knew that Tom Brady’s birthday was also on that day,” Wagner went on to say. “I’m just grateful that my daughter shares Tom Brady’s birthday, and I’m excited to introduce her and her sister to the game and this great club, just like my uncle did.” “I am very excited about this.”
Every fan offered a different narrative about why they were pulled to the Patriots, but there were lots of common elements.
