Canada’s Current Batch of NFL Stars Highlighting Strong Relationship with the League

| News | 08/12/2022

Ever since the National Football League (NFL) was created in 1920, there has been a strong relationship with Canada. Players have moved to the United States to feature in the league, and they have had a lot of success.

The likes of Jim Bryant, Tommy Hughitt, Buck MacDonald and Perce Wilson played in the opening year of the NFL. Those players pathed the way for many more Canadians to feature over the next 100 years and beyond.

This special relationship with Canada has been recognised by the NFL, as they have helped to ensure regular season games have been played in the country. In 2008, the Buffalo played their inaugural Bills Toronto Series at the Rogers Centre and took on the Miami Dolphins in front of a crowd of 52,134.

The Bills have now played in Toronto on six occasions. Their most recent appearance was in 2013 when they hosted the Atlanta Falcons. It was a thrilling game that went into overtime before the visitors prevailed 34-31 courtesy of a match-winning field goal.

Bills Toronto Series Increased Fanbase for Buffalo

The Bills Toronto Series was set up in 2008 to try and expand the Buffalo Bills’ outreach to fans. Given the proximity to Ontario, it was a great opportunity for the NFL franchise to promote their team to a potential new audience.

At the time, there was a lot of talk about there being a new franchise being set up in Canada to join the NFL. In order to get a sense of the popularity of the NFL in the country, the league were keen for regular season games to be played there.

Bills owner Ralph Wilson managed to agree to a deal with the other franchises in the league for his side to play one regular season home a year in Toronto. The games were well attended each year and proved to be lucrative in terms of ticket and merchandise sales.

Although the Bills Toronto Series is no longer in place, many Canadians continue to support the Bills. Buffalo are currently the 13/2 favourite to win the Super Bowl this season, and Ontario residents will be passionately backing their team for success. They have numerous options to choose from on Canadian betting sites such as LeoVegas, which has an award-winning app. If Buffalo does live up to their favourite’s tag, they could be set for their first championship since 1965.

Current Crop of Canadians Continue to Carry Flag for Their Country

Chase Claypool and Jevon Holland are two of the leading Canadian players in the NFL in 2022. They are all involved in pre-season training with their franchises ahead of the new campaign.

Claypool was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and he is set for his third season in the league this year. His side, the Pittsburgh Steelers, are 50/1 to win the Super Bowl.

Holland had an excellent rookie campaign for the Miami Dolphins. His team, who are rebuilding, have made some excellent signings in the off-season and are 33/1 to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

With the NFL having plans to expand internationally, Canada remains the perfect place for a franchise. For now, the league will continue to remain popular in the country, with Claypool and Holland both excelling in their respective teams.

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