bFor the first time in five years in London, the Chicago Bears will take on Jacksonville in a relaxed manner on Sunday. After winning three of their first five games with a week off next weekend, they have reason to enjoy the trip. The Bears took a holistic approach during their latest stint in the NFL International Series, spending the entire week in rural Hertfordshire. It’s more of a mini-camp than a holiday, but the management were determined to ensure everyone has a life-enhancing experience in England, regardless of what happens at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against a Jaguars side that is much more at home in London.
Playing abroad in the NFL is very different from going to Europe to play a Champions League, United Rugby Championship or Super League match. The company numbers more like two hundred than two dozen, a true traveling circus. There is a football staff for almost every one of the 53 players, plus media and commercial teams, so many that they have to stay in two different hotels.
The football bears descended on a Hogwarts-esque country hotel in the village of Thundridge, home (briefly) to the New York Jets last weekend and in Jacksonville itself next week.
It was both a Merchant Ivory and an NFL production. It couldn’t be more English. The teams train on a custom-built football field wedged into the side of a rural golf course, linked by Cold Christmas Lane on one side and Gentlemen’s Field on the other, with rap music startling the pheasants as they fly across the previously serene Rib Valley echoed.
The Anglo-American media feasted on crustless finger sandwiches with cucumber and mint, followed by scones and clotted cream, washed down with Earl Gray tea. Press conferences took place in the Orangery and interviews took place in the walled garden. Frankly, it wouldn’t have been particularly surprising if Colin Firth had emerged from the pond and walked across the lawn in dripping breeches.
“It’s definitely a little crazy,” Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze admitted. “Every time you go to a new place it’s a bit of a culture shock. It was great to get this opportunity and make the most of it, and to win a football match here.”
The Jets did well last week. They “followed the science” and decided to treat it as if they were going to San Francisco — “a pretty quick trip — up and down,” said then-coach Robert Saleh — who arrived Friday, left Sunday night and traveled as little as possible once they were. here. That had the opposite effect. Even before the game, veteran QB Aaron Rodgers expressed frustration at not having time to do anything interesting. A slow game in the first half led to a narrow defeat against Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham and on Tuesday the ax fell on Saleh.
The Bears’ affable General Manager Ryan Poles, known to British fans from the Sky documentary Hard Knocks, also claimed to have followed expert advice – from sports scientists working with international tennis stars – on the best preparation, resulting in the opposite approach . But there was also a personal development side to the decision.
“Traveling with the entire team during the season brings many challenges – and opportunities,” Roles said. “It’s the first time I’ve been to this area in my entire life, so just from a human perspective, exploring it and seeing familiar parts of the world is important.”
His players certainly appreciated it. After flying overnight Monday, the Bears had Tuesday to themselves and made the most of it. While the logic revolved around getting their body clocks right and preparing properly for Sunday, bubbly running back DJ Moore couldn’t hide his joy at spending his day off in London. “It was great. We ended up having a full tour. We ate dumplings in Chinatown! The biggest challenge? Don’t spend all our money on shopping!”
While nearly every NFL player has boarded a plane every other week since they left home for college at age 17 or 18, some of those who played in the London Games have never played in been abroad.
Rome Odunze’s only previous trip to Europe was to Italy (yes, he is named after the Eternal City), so he also appreciated the club’s decision to arrive early. “It’s 100% so much better. The whole spirit of this brings something very important to American culture to this side of the world and it means a lot more when the team gets a little involved in the community and culture, and enjoys some of the things it has. to offer. I got to go into the city of London, have a look around and do some shopping, which was fun. I like talking to people, with different mindsets and personalities. I go low-key – I try not to wear anything from the Bears. I just want to have a general conversation. I wasn’t recognized, which is nice – and for the first time in a while.”
Odunze’s success in his debut season will depend on whether he is found by fellow rookie and star quarterback Caleb Williams. The NFL’s No. 1 draft pick completed 15 passes to Odunze in the first five games. Despite not turning 23 until next month, Williams has traveled far more than many of his teammates. Although he was reluctant to find out where he was, he said, “I know you learn from traveling and I really enjoy it. I love food and I’m interested in architecture and it’s different wherever you go. Traveling helps me to reset during my free time.”
Viewers of the Hard Knocks will have seen how the polished Williams belies the stereotypical images of both the bombastic NFL player and the narrow-minded quarterback. “I do things outside of football, my hobbies, that I like, I am myself. The most important thing is that you don’t try to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.”
Odunze, on the other hand, is new to all this. Born in Utah and raised in Las Vegas, Odunze spent four increasingly successful years with the Washington Huskies in college in Seattle. At the age of 21, he moved to one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
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“Chicago is very different, but it was very welcoming,” says Odunze, who lives alone in the city but is regularly visited by his parents and girlfriend. “The biggest difference with university is that you have a lot of free time. The college is very strict and routine every day. Now you should have your own routine and things you like to do.
After a hot start to his NFL career that saw Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron line up Odunze and Moore for nearly every snap in weeks two and three, he now shares wide receiver duties with Keenan Allen.
“It’s not like college where you know for a few weeks you’re going to have a good day, you go out and take out a team,” the affable Odunze said. “In the NFL, every game and everyone is tough. “I need to make sure I have all the skills and resources to compete at this level, which I think I have so far in the season, and continue to hone and improve.”
Poles are happy with the start of Odunze. “He did very well. The difficult thing about being a receiver is that you travel a route and sometimes you are not seen, but you have to remain patient and stay alive. I’m happy with where he is. He will continue to improve.”
Being an All-American and National Championship finalist with the Huskies, Odunze was under pressure to get results right away after going No. 9 overall in the draft. “Where you are called is unique to every situation. For me, I want to prove to everyone that I deserved to go where I went and continue to exceed the expectations of people in the facility or the fan base or wherever anyone judges my play. But first for myself. I set high standards, which allows me to play freely.”
Training against world-class defenders helps with this every day.
“We have some of the best cornerbacks in the league, so getting those reps helped me make the transition to the professional level. The biggest difference in the NFL is that there are far fewer mental mistakes. Everyone is very mission-oriented. At university, people make a mess or don’t master the technology properly. That doesn’t apply in the NFL. There are few mistakes.”
Seeing the Vikings 5-0 at the top of the NFC North puts some serious pressure on the Bears, knowing they won’t get a chance to inflict a blow on rivals in their division until Week 11. A trip to England to take on the 1-4 Jags seems like a very welcome break.