A host of NFL stars credit soccer with helping them develop their skills, while others just fell in love with the game
Much of the sporting world and most of America will be keeping a close eye on the Super Bowl on Sunday, but more than a few NFL legends may spend the earlier hours of the day taking in Liverpool's clash with Tottenham or Barcelona's derby match against Espanyol.
There is a great deal of respect for the footballing world in the NFL, even if those involved do call it soccer.
“There is really no other game like it,” former NFL quarterback and coach Jim Harbaugh told after his Michigan Wolverines practiced with the Italian Serie A club AS Roma back in August. “I always encourage youngsters in America to play soccer.”
And Harbaugh is not alone.
Numerous current and former NFL stars got their athletic starts on a football pitch, while others fell in love with the sport as spectators later in life.
Here's a look at the top 10 NFLers who have a confirmed affinity for the football that isn't played with primarily with hands.
Peter G. Aiken1Marcus Mariota
Add Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota to the list of players who credit soccer with helping in their development on the gridiron.
"I think soccer is a great fundamental sport – I think it built a foundation for me as an athlete," Mariota told in 2015. "Whether that's my footwork now, or relative to just kind of seeing the field and instincts."
Mariota believes the ability to see the field is a crucial skill that soccer helps develop, but it certainly didn't hurt the quick feet of one of the best running quarterbacks in NFL history.
AdvertisementMitchell Leff2Jay Ajayi
A noted Arsenal supporter, Philadelphia Eagles running back Jay Ajayi will be playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Having grown up in England before moving to Texas and taking up American football, Ajayi credits his time on the pitch with helping make him hard to tackle.
"I definitely credit my quick feet and coordination to my soccer background," Ajayi told in 2016. "I think it's helped me to be agile and have good balance. Those are things you need to have playing the game of soccer. I definitely think it's translated well."
Even during Super Bowl week Ajayi couldn't keep the other football off his mind, taking time to welcome Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to his beloved Gunners.
Thearon W. Henderson3Wes Welker
The former New England Patriot and Denver Broncos pass catcher claims soccer helped him grow as a player, with the footwork required to run precise routes boosted by his time on the pitch.
"I really feel that (soccer has) helped with my footwork, getting in and out of breaks, and it seems like I can take a bunch of little steps in a very quick amount of time," Welker told in 2009. "Your feet get put in some awkward positions in football, but I'm sort of used to that from playing soccer, from moving the ball around. I definitely think that's a big part of what has made me successful in the NFL."
Welker also made use of his skills with his feet in the NFL, having kicked extra points for both the Dolphins and Patriots in his time in the league.
Tim Warner4DeAndre Hopkins
Another Houston Texan, DeAndre Hopkins apparently has a good bit of love for soccer, claiming on social media that if he could make it big in any sport aside from American football it would be the beautiful game.
And if that's not enough to make a believer out of you, he recently made a trip to Paris to take in a PSG match and snap a couple shots with superstar Neymar.
Hopkins made the right call going to the NFL. His 13 touchdown catches lead the NFL during the 2017 season.