Aden Durde, a former NFL and NFL Europe player and now defensive coordinator for London Warriors, talks about his passion for football, his time interning with the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff and his aspirations to become an NFL coach.
“More proof @londonwarriors are doing it right. Best coaches!” Tweeted Vernon.
Ever wanted to know how Vernon got into American Football? Watch ‘Vernon: How I Got Into The Game‘.
Vernon on NFL: ‘How I got into the game…’
“Not everyday you turn up on the front page of NFL,” Tweeted Vernon. “Pretty Cool”.
In this NFL video, Vernon explains the roots of his strong passion for football that would rival most American fans!
As a long-time NFL fan and player for the London Warriors, Vernon returns as the host of NFL: The American Football Show on Channel 4.
Channel 4’s regular-season highlights show moves to a new Monday night slot, bringing the action to viewers immediately after the weekend games. Week one’s show will feature, amongst other, the newly crowned Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, starting the defence of their crown against the Green Bay Packers.Ahead of the start of the new NFL season, Channel 4 has announced the biggest ever raft of American football programming on British terrestrial television.
In recent years the NFL has once again captured the imagination of the British public with nearly a quarter of a million fans expected to attend three sold out regular season games at Wembley stadium in the autumn.
As the birthplace and terrestrial home of the National Football League on television in the UK, Channel 4 will broadcast all three Wembley games live, as well as a further 17 regular season live games and the showpiece Super Bowl XLIX, live from Arizona, in February.
In an NFL first, the Wembley game between the Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons on Sunday 26th October will kick-off in a stand-alone time of 1.30pm, meaning the whole of America will be waking up to the clash in London.
To mark the occasion, Channel 4 will include NFL themed content. In addition to live action and analysis from the big game between Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons, that mornings edition of Sunday Brunch will feature some very distinguished guests.
Live coverage of NFL’s Sunday Night Football game will again be hosted by the legendary duo of Nat Coombs and Mike Carlson, joined by special guests across 17 regular season live games. First up is the September 7th clash between two of the biggest names in the game – Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and his opposite number at Indianapolis Colts, Andrew Luck.
Channel 4 will also broadcast Hard Knocks, a five part reality sports documentary series, about the Atlanta Falcons as they prepare for the new season and that all-important London clash. Produced by HBO, the series follows the Falcons players, coaches, and staff during the daily demands of an NFL training camp.
For the younger fans, Channel 4 will air Rush Zone, a 44 episodes of the kid’s animation series that centres on a young American football fan called Ish.
Channel 4 hopes to build on the success of last season, which saw over a million terrestrial viewers staying up into the early hours to watch its coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII.
Full line up of NFL programmes on Channel 4:
Catch the first episode Monday 8 September, 11:00PM on Channel 4. Get the latest on the official NFL: The American Football Show website.
After talking to the coaching team behind the American Football team London Warriors, Ray Lewis crossed the Atlantic to talk, inspire and train the team. Check out this exclusive video showing his unbelievable surprise arrival, and the incredible affect it had on the players.
“The London Warriors story resonated with me for a number of reasons, but mostly because of where the kids come from,” Ray explained. “Most of the kids come from neighborhoods like I came from.
“Ninety percent of these young men are either going through or have been going through the same things I went through. They just need some form of motivation and, for me, that was the reason I came over here.”
“I’m pinching myself!” Vernon told NFLUK.com. “I cannot believe Ray Lewis is training with the London Warriors on our terrible (artificial turf) pitch in south London.
“This is a massive thing for our club, and it is not an exaggeration to say this visit from Ray is going to change lives. … I have never practiced so hard in my life, and the same goes for a lot of the guys on our team.”
Visit the London Warriors website
Competing in one of the hardest leagues in the country, the London Warriors AFC are currently ahead of last year’s premiership champions London Blitz. Midway through the season the Warriors have already taken a comfortable lead, winning all four matches so far. They currently lead with 6 wins to 0 losses after Farnham Knights Senior team withdrew, forfeiting their upcoming games.
Get behind Vernon and the Warriors by visiting their website.
For upcoming fixtures and more information about the British American Football Association, visit the BAFA website.
Vernon’s American Football team need you! The team are looking for new players, coaches and support staff. Anyone aged 8-80+ can apply. If you’re interested, contact the Warriors at: info@londonwarriorsafc.co.uk
Vernon and his team the ‘London Warriors’ took part in the premiership final of this year’s BritBowl. watch to see how he got on.
Vernon and his team the ‘London Warriors’ took part in the premiership final of this year’s BritBowl. watch to see how he got on.
After reuniting with the ‘Manchester Allstars’ at the beginning of the year for ITV2’s ‘Under Pressure’, I’ve taken it upon myself to join the ‘London Warriors’ American Football Team. It has been a hard fought season against teams from Tamworth, Bristol, Coventry, London and Farnham and we’ve ended up in the Final of BritBowl XXV 2011. The game will see us go head to head with European champions ‘London Blitz’. It’s going to be a tough contest for the warriors as the blitz are reigning champions and after their time in Europe they must be flying high. But, come the 24th september, BritBowl XXV is going to be a spectacle to behold.
Cheryl Baker from Buck’s Fizz will be on tomorrow’s All Star Family Fortunes, competing against my friend and fellow Radio 1 DJ Trevor Nelson. The series is going from success to success, with some of the episodes of this year still to come.
The Radio 1 Teen Awards are coming up and I’ve been on the judging panel of the ‘Teen Hero’ award, which has been humbling, heart warming and exciting.
All Star Family Fortunes returns Saturday 17 September, 7:00pm – 8:00pm on ITV1.
For more information about BritBowl XXV 2011, please vist the British American Football Association website.
To Book Tickets, please visit TicketMaster.
Tune in to the Teen Awards on Radio 1, Sunday 9th October: 1-5pm, to watch the full show online visit bbc.co.uk/radio1
Vernon and his team The London Warriors will be appearing at the Premier Division Final of BritBowl American football finals. Taking place on 24th and 25th September at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. They will be battling for glory against other European teams over 2 days, consisting of eight finals of action packed American football. BritBowl XXV is the 25th Anniversary of The British American Football Association National League, the event appealing to more than just avid American football fans with live music on offer as well as rides and attractions. On the London Warriors official site Vernon says “Since 14 years of age Football has been an integral and influential part of my life. . . It’s a privilege to play in the Warriors’ colours!”