An NFL Fan Down Under - My Super Bowl Story

An NFL Fan in Australia? Want to buy your favourite NFL Team Merchandise? Read on...

So as my mates and I gather at a pub in Melbourne, Australia in early February to watch Super Bowl XLIV I see a decent number of NFL supporters whom I have no idea who they are supporting. Why? Because they are not kitted out in supporter merchandise.

Put simply, Melbourne is a true sporting capital, go to a local AFL match and you will see every passionate supporter decked out in their team gear. So to see Melbournians watching and cheering on sport in mufti just didn't seem right.

As great as this Super Bowl experience was, it was this small aspect that annoyed me. Ok call me picky, but most people I talked to that day were passionate about the NFL, the Saints and the Colts that they'd buy gear if it was made available.

Well if I'd have known that I would set up my own little store and made a quick buck.

As I sat there is my Peyton Manning jersey (and yes what later in the day I drowned my sorrows in), I was asked numerous times where I had gotten it from. Notwithstanding my answer being that I in fact bought it whilst on a recent trip to the United States, I quickly informed my newly found NFL-loving buddies that this kinda stuff is pretty easy to find online.

In fact I reckon if I had my laptop and wireless internet card on hand I could've made someone quite a few sales on the spot (bring on Super Bowl XLV).

As the Saints fans rejoiced, I sat hands on head as Manning's pass wet through the hands of Reggie Wayne wondering if but only more Colts supporters in this small pub on the edge of the earth had shown their support, then they may have done better...

So where exactly can one go to buy online? Well at the time I had a pre-order in place for a Colts Super Bowl XLIV Champions T-shirt from Pro Sports Gear. Needless to say that that particular order did not go ahead...

My mates and I are big NFL and NBA fans, and you can read about our adventures in a serious of articles that can be found here

Auburn University (AU) Tigers Football Players Taken in the 2010 NFL Draft - Two Selected

There were two Auburn University (AU) Tigers football players taken in the 2010 NFL Draft that was held in New York City in April. The two men from the Alabama based campus selected by National Football League (NFL) Teams are:

• Ben Tate (running back) who was picked by the Houston Texans in the second round with the 58th overall pick
• Walter McFadden (cornerback), selected with the 138th overall pick in the 5th round by the Oakland Raiders

Ben Tate hopes to follow in the footsteps of other successfully Auburn running backs that have entered the NFL in the last few seasons. Most recently that list includes impact players Ronnie Brown of the Miami Dolphins and Carnell "Cadilac" Williams of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. When football fans go further back in time they notice that the great Bo Jackson was actually a running back product of the Auburn football program.

Ben Tate, born is 1988, is listed as a 5'11" 218 pound back that has a desirable combination of power and speed. Originally from Woodbridge, Virginia Ben grew up in Maryland and attended Stephen Decatur High School where he set a high water mark for the state in terms of rushing yards for a single season with 2,886.

After earning all-state honors his junior season Tate transferred to Snow Hill High School (also in Maryland) for his senior year of high school. As the tailback for the Snow Hill Eagles he led the squad to a second place in the state finish for the football team. Tate chose to follow up his impressive prep football career with the Auburn Tigers after declining athletic scholarship offers from powerhouse football programs the University of Florida and Penn State just to name a couple.

Walter McFadden was selected by the Oakland Raiders to play cornerback and while Walter has no relation to Raiders running back Darren McFadden (a 2008 first round draft pick by Oakland) Walter does have an older brother in the NFL. The older brother of Walter also plays cornerback.

Walter is the younger sibling of Bryant McFadden who played his college football at Florida State University before being selected in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft to play cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bryant was on both Steelers teams that won Super Bowls after the 2005 and 2008 seasons.

The younger McFadden is a 6'0" 177 corner with quick feet and an upside that the Oakland Raiders are excited about. The Raiders expect to find some versatility in Walter as an asset both on defense and on special teams during his rookie season.

Kim, the author of this article, doesn't know if the two Auburn players picked in the 2010 NFL Draft have any interest in the sport of golf or any inclination amongst them to buy a pair of orange Auburn University golf shoes. Kim suspects that a pair of blue AU Tigers golf shoes would help either of them fit in better with their new found teammates who inevitably play a lot of golf as it's a very popular sport amongst NFL players. Readers curious about looking at either orange or blue Auburn Tigers golf shoes should visit one of the two links in the previous paragraph to look at choices.

American Football Pads: Here's What You Need To Know

Anyone that has participated in the sport understands the critical importance of American football pads. Whether it is a tiny little wide receiver who wants to outrun his adversary, or the beefy lineman who would rather obliterate his opposition, the American football pads (sometimes referred to as shoulder pads) are one and only thing standing between these guys and fractured shoulders!

But there are literally hundreds of American football pads on the market. Which item is the correct pad for you?

This write-up was created as a guide to help you render a wiser decision. As a public service, I have accumulated 7 crucial items of information.

American Football Pads: An Overview:

The shoulder pad is in fact a tough plastic external shell that includes a multiple layer, shock-absorbing cushioning beneath. As the name suggests, they guard the shoulders from potential traumatic injury. Additionally they play a role in safeguarding the chest and rib area, and they are anchored with several snaps and buckles. For comfort, a shoulder pads cushioning of foam rubber is often worn underneath the pad.

American Football Pads: Shock Distribution:

As the players clash, a significant amount of force is employed. These pads do a terrific job of disbursing the shock throughout a larger area so there is much less pressure at the point of impact.

American Football Pads: Shock Absorption:

For any force of the impact that cannot be distributed, these pads are developed to soak up the majority of the impact through deformation. The pads on the shoulders are strung on tight webbing and deform on impact.

American Football Pads By Position:

The Quarterback:

These position players want the unattainable combination of agility and protection on their own American football pads. Pads for any quarterback are light-weight and provide freedom of motion.

The Linemen:

Pads for linemen are created to minimize the amount of flaps and epaulets, hence reducing the grabbing and holding opportunities presented to their adversaries.

Linebacker/Fullback:

These positions ought to wear a cut-away shell style that will offer a little flexibility and a little less protection in comparison to a linesman's pads.

Other Skilled Positions:

These individuals rely more on speed than the other players, and so ought to choose a pad that includes a design for lower profile, more mobility and less bulk. Not surprisingly their goal on the gridiron is to generally avoid confrontation by outrunning the other guys.

Conclusion:

There are additional considerations to bear in mind when looking for protective gear for you, your team, or your family member. Depending on the player's body type, or when there are wounded body parts to consider, you might want to consider some of the varied custom fitted choices. Examples consist of spine and rib protectors.

I hope you found this article to be appealing to you. Being familiar with this crucial information will help all players improve their use of American football pads!

Gary has a website dedicated to the discussion of American football. You can find literally hundreds of articles, videos, etc. at this website: Football Training Aids