Former NFL star Cecil Martin says that despite the game growing so quickly in the UK it is still essential for people to continue to work together to support the sport.
The former Philadelphia Eagle and Tampa Bay Buccaneer, who played in the NFL for five seasons from 1999 to 2003, was in town with his training camp ahead of the Manchester Titans fixture against the Crewe Railroaders at the AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday.
Martin, who conducted a training session before engaging with fans by signing plenty of autographs and posing for photographs, said days like the one he spoke at were vital to the sport’s future outside of the United States.
PHOTO CALL: MM’s Alex gets up close and personal with Cecil Martin
“It is growing in a rapid way, our broadcast at Sky Sports NFL and the Wembley games have definitely helped. I think those who are just interested in the game, whether that would be coaching or participating is also growing,” he told MM.
“It is growing exponentially, we all need to work a little bit more together to help it to grow and support games like this that are happening today.”
The NFL is continuing to expand in the UK, with International Series being given a three fixture next season and London is often rumoured to be the destination of a future franchise.
Martin believes that a franchise could not be too far away in the future and praised the work the people are doing behind the scenes.
“I cannot say who knows. Five, maybe ten years I think it all depends on how we continue to grow the sport but more importantly how others, like the NFL, other teams and owners and people who have that influence and how they approach it,” he said.
“I think the more we focus on the grassroots perspective from top to bottom, the barrier to intrigue will be lowered I cannot say that is a barrier right now all I can say is there is think a lot of great positive people, doing a lot of great positive work.”
In the five years that have seen NFL games played out at Wembley stadium there have been some fantastic games featuring teams that have competed in the Superbowl, but Martin was quick to answer what his favourite game of the International Series has been.
“The last one, it is always the last one,” said the 38-year-old.
Main image courtesy of NCSA Athletic Recruiting via YouTube, with thanks.
