Perfect Idea: Mr. Kraft Has Begun Lobbying the NFL to Schedule the Patriots to Play in Scotland
To steal a phrase from the Dear George breakup text that Thomas Jefferson sent to the King of England 250 years ago, "in the course of human events," sometimes people just ... click. You can't define it. You can't explain it. But you know it when you experience it.
Whether it's someone you start chatting with at the bar. Sitting next to you at a game. A new coworker. On a first date. Or a massive cultural event with a huge influx of people from a country an ocean away, you know right away when you've hit it off. To steal another term from Tommy J, it's self-evident that's been the case over the last couple of weeks. You could make a RomCom and call it When Scotland Met Boston:
And so it's come to pass that the lone figure who's responsible for bringing these two beautiful groups of lovable kids together has come up with another of his brilliant ideas. A way to bring them together and keep this party going:
Source - If you've been following the World Cup action, you know the excitement extends far beyond the pitch. The Scottish fans are praising their visit to the 617 and the Bostonians are expressing how palpable the energy of the city is as fans in kilts yell, "No Scotland, no party."
The visit has made such an impact that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft wants to reverse the roles and have his team play in Scotland. According to the Boston Globe, Kraft informed NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that the Patriots are interested in playing a regular-season game in Scotland.
The NFL plays numerous games internationally, but no team has ever played in Scotland. …
Under the CBA agreement, the number of international games is capped at 10, but since the Jacksonville Jaguars game at Wembley Stadium doesn't count toward the total, 11 games outside U.S. soil is possible. Goodell has said eventually he wants 16 international games and with the program rapidly expanding, it's not out of the question to have a game in Scotland.
It's a simple idea. And as is so often the case, brilliant in its simplicity.
I mean, who says no? I'm sure whatever team of poor unfortunate souls is put on the Pats schedule for that game, because that will by no means be a neutral site. And Mr. Kraft deserves to get his way here because without his efforts back in 2018, not only would the World Cup not be in Foxboro and 10 other NFL stadiums, it would've been played in Morocco. It was neck-and-neck, and North America won in a photo finish, thanks to RKK's negotiating skills. The NFL should throw him this bone. He's more than earned it.
Moreover, Patriots fans deserve it. They welcomed the Scots like brothers. Opened out hearts and our bars to them. Way, WAY past the usual closing time, I might add. A city that is still run like it was founded by people with buckles on their hats and didn't even allow liquor stores to sell booze on the Sabbath until 2004, approved Tartan Army Laws that allow these kilt-wearers to carry drinks down public streets.
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And carry drinks down public streets they did. They famously drank the town dry. Now the ball is in the court of Patriots fans. Challenge accepted.
I want this for all these reasons. Because I'm a patriotic American who wants to see my culture exported around the world. Because I'm a Masshole who wants to show the Scots we're good guests as well as great hosts. And above all else, because I'm a Patriots fan who would really like to see us up our cheering game. That Super Bowl in Santa Clara was nothing short of an embarrassment as the Seattle fans drowned out everyone from New England. We could learn a lot from these guys. Sound UP:
But even if we don't, 100% of them will be rooting on the Patriots. The best homefield of the year would be an ocean away in Scotland.
Make it so, Goodell. You owe him.
