While there’s a break in our calendar this weekend, there’s a lot of focus on Sunday night’s Super Bowl 52. Contested between the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots, the 52nd iteration of the NFL showpiece takes place in Minneapolis, at the US Bank Stadium.
With some of the finest American footballers on show on Sunday, we thought we’d look back through London Stadium’s history, and pick out a few Stadium luminaries who we reckon could do a job in the NFL...
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Centre: RICHIE MCCAWÂ
Who better to run the show than one of the greatest rugby union players to ever play the game? The former New Zealand captain represented the All Blacks in 148 test matches, captaining 110 of those, won two Rugby World Cups and is the most capped test rugby player of all time.Â
At London Stadium, McCaw came off the bench during the All Blacks’ 58-14 win over Namibia during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, before going onto picking up the Webb Ellis trophy after beating Australia 34-17 in the final, which was to be his last ever international test before retiring.Â
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Quarterback: HOLLIE ARNOLD (MBE)
At the age of 23, F46 Javelin thrower Hollie Arnold already has three IPC World ParaAthletics championship gold medals, a Paralympic gold medal and a world record in the F46 javelin.Â
Arnold came to London Stadium during the 2017 IPC World Championships, and set a new world record after throwing 43.02 meters in the javelin, later on in the year she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to the field of athletics.Â
Not a bad arm, and quite the fit for the quarterback role.
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Running Back: MARK NOBLEÂ
Endless running, and the desire to bust a gut to get the ball up the field… look no further than Mr West Ham United himself.Â
Noble is the Hammers’ longest-serving player in their current squad, being in the first team since 2004. In that time, he’s been the image of consistency in midfield, and has amassed 50 goals for the Club.
He has enjoyed a recent resurgence under new West Ham manager David Moyes, the midfielder returning to the side and working as industriously as ever. The perfect man to put in the hard yards.
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Wide Receiver: USAIN BOLTÂ
We couldn’t look past the fastest man in the world, could we? Any defence would quake at the sight of this specimen, with the ability to lose them in seconds and the height to look down on any opponent… and don’t forget about the celebration in the end zone too - lets just hope his catching is as good as his sprinting.Â
At London Stadium in 2012, Bolt set a new Olympic Record of 9.63 beating his own OR whilst winning a gold in the 100m. He then became the first man in history to defend his double sprint titles by winning the gold in the 200m. On the final day of the Olympics his team set a new world record in the 4x100m relay, a third gold medal for Bolt.Â
Bolt’s finale came in 2017 at London Stadium during the IAAF World Championships where he won bronze in the 100m, but unfortunately pulled up in the relay final with an injury.Â
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Kicker: JOHNATHAN THURSTON
One of the greatest rugby league players to have ever played in the NRL, and the captain of North Queensland Cowboys, Jonathan Thurston has compiled over 2000 points in just 270 games. Is there anyone you’d trust more to deliver?
At London Stadium, Thurston represented Australia during the 2016 Rugby League four nations, not only did the he win the tournament with the Aussies but he was the top scorer with 32 points.
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What do you reckon? Is there someone we’ve missed? We’re running a poll on twitter for you to give us your picks…Â
We still have a few remaining tickets on sale for Saracens v Harlequins at London Stadium in March. With 40,000 of you already joining us, don't miss out and secure your seats now...
