Photos: Courtesy NFL
In the heart of Mexico City, the National Football League brought it’s show across the Rio Grande to showcase the first Monday Night Football game to take place outside of the United States. The Oakland Raiders and the Houston Texans were the two teams chosen to play at Azteca Stadium, a place better known for the football played with the foot though the NFL had played there in 2005. But in the ultimate gesture of goodwill, the NFL billed it as “Families of Futbol.”
On this historical night in the capital of Mexico, we learned why. The NFL provided a surprise that did more to show the humanity of not just a professional league but a country that shares a common border. During this evening the NFL not only brought families based in the United States to their first game but reunited them with family members in Mexico where they would all be able to share the experience together.
Ximena Alvarez’ family was a case in point. She and her family were brought in to watch the Raiders and the reunion was a perfect celebratory mesh of American Football and Mexican culture for a week where the NFL crossed borders and united families. A double win for the NFL.
