One of the things I miss about the US is football…American football. Watching college games on Saturdays, the NFL on Sundays, and, naturally, Monday Night Football.

So imagine how excited I was that the NFL was bringing their Fan Experience to Cape Town.

Not only would I get to enjoy some NFL, but I also had the opportunity to introduce my wife and my friends to American football.

Well, I thought so. It didn’t quite turn out that way.

Fumble!

I attended the same event years ago when the Super Bowl came to Phoenix. Now, knowing this wasn’t Super Bowl weekend I knew it wasn’t going to be as big an event, but nothing prepared me for the flea market the NFL brought to Cape Town.

The event was from 11:00-6:00 which would be fine…if we didn’t have to queue for an hour just to get into the hall. Then, when we finally got in, I was absolutely underwhelmed and disappointed.

A Tiny Hall

First, the hall was fairly small. Like you could walk around it in less than 2 minutes small. They had the skills area set up with a QB Toss, 40yd Dash, and Vertical Jump around the perimeter of the hall.

There was a kids area where they could ‘play’ flag football, ok, cool. Then there was the big area set up for people who wanted to play video games…ok…what?!? There was also a large seating area up by the DJ (yes, I’ll get to that in a little bit).

A couple of exhibits, an area where you could see the Lombardi Trophy, and, well, that was about it.

American Cuisine? Hardly!

The event advertised “American cuisine” which turned out to be a single stand where you could choose a footlong hot dog (with only ketchup or mustard for condiments) or six mediocre BBQ wings.

Really? No stadium nachos? No burgers? No pulled pork sliders? No popcorn? No giant soft pretzels?

To say it was underwhelming would be an understatement.

No Football?

Ok. If you’re trying to build a presence for American football in South Africa, wouldn’t it make sense to have things like:

• A game playing people could watch…like last year’s Super Bowl?

• Interactive exhibits where people could learn the history of the game?

There was a video on a loop that explained the rules of the game…but…it was at the entrance to the hall and you couldn’t hear anything because of the DJ.

Where Are The Players?

They also advertised that some players from African nations would be there, including South Africa’s own Gary Anderson. The NFL Africa Twitter feed said Anderson, Osi Umenyiora, Kenny Stills, and Steven Jackson were all at the event.

We were there for about half the day and only saw Umenyiora.

I’m sorry, but if your event is going to be about 7 hours, why wouldn’t you have all four in a meet and greet area at the same time?

Merch? What Merch?

One of the things I was looking forward to was picking up some team merch from my favorites like the AZ Cardinals or Detroit Lions. Maybe a hat, a jersey, a football…something.

Nope.

Their ‘merchandise area’ was off in the corner and, no lie, had maybe two dozen shirts split between the Giants, Raiders, and Dolphins.

It was like the NFL sent their leftovers to the event.

I’ve seen more NFL merchandise at the local garage sale than what the NFL brought to the event.

The only swag at the event was an NFL branded football keychain you got when you entered.

Just. Pathetic.

Ditch the DJ and Dancers

I understand wanting entertainment, but c’mon, the DJ and dancers were a complete miss. The music was so loud we could barely hold a conversation sitting at the same table. Then, every once in a while, they broke in and had two kids perform their ‘touchdown dance’.

Just no. Not in the main hall.

Let me ask you, Commissioner Goodell, who are the most famous performers associated with the NFL?

The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.

You could have brought them, they could have performed, and even do a meet and greet. That would have been exponentially better.

Do Better Next Time

Here’s some suggestions to improve the event if you decide to come back to Cape Town.

• Two halls - One for football, the other for the kids are and video games.

• Have a game playing so people can see the NFL in action.

• Have an actual merchandise setup…including some memorabilia. Don’t ask for our ‘favorite team’ when we get tickets if you’re not going to have anything representing them!

• Have entertainment associated with the NFL. Cheerleaders would be a big hit.

• Have your players out at the same time for autographs, photos, and meet and greet. If you’re going to talk about how many NFL players come from African nations, then have them out to meet the crowd.

• Have some interactive exhibits so people can learn the history and rules of the game.

• Improve the ‘American cuisine’ food choices. Hot dogs and wings just don’t cut it.

• The exhibits and game will keep the skills area from being way too crowded to be fun.

Disappointed and Embarrassed

I was so looking forward to this event. A little bit of ‘home’ and what I grew up with, a chance to share more of me with my South African friends, and come home with some merch and memories.

As an American and a football fan, the event left me disappointed and, quite honestly, embarrassed.

The NFL pulled the equivalent of the butt fumble in Cape Town.