Tua Tagovailoa, the quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, expressed his interest in playing an NFL game in Jerusalem during a recent press conference following a game against the Washington Commanders. “Shoot, it”d be pretty cool to go play in Jerusalem,” Tagovailoa remarked after the Dolphins” victory, which ended with a score of 16-13 in overtime.
This game was significant as it marked the NFL”s inaugural contest in Spain, part of an expanding international series that has included games in various countries such as England, Germany, Brazil, Ireland, and Mexico. Tagovailoa, a Christian, was asked about other locations he would like to play after experiencing both Madrid and Frankfurt, Germany, which led to his comments about Jerusalem.
His statement caught the attention of Mike Huckabee, the United States Ambassador to Israel, who voiced support for the idea on social media. “Tua is right,” Huckabee tweeted. “Bringing an NFL game to Israel is a great idea. Next year in Jerusalem… I like the sound of that.” This suggestion comes at a time when Israel”s role as a host for global sporting events has been increasingly debated.
In the realm of basketball, the EuroLeague is expected to return to Israel next month, with league officials currently assessing the situation on the ground. Similarly, soccer has faced challenges regarding Israeli participation, as the Union of European Football Associations previously considered suspending Israel but halted the process following a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
This is not the first time Tagovailoa has addressed matters concerning Israel. Following a home game on October 15, 2023, he took a moment during his press conference to discuss the recent Hamas attacks on Israel, which had occurred just days earlier. “I didn”t really realize how bad things were in Israel,” he stated. Tagovailoa extended his thoughts and prayers to those affected, also acknowledging the continuing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
While there has been no official word from the NFL about hosting a game in Israel, there are connections to the region within the league. Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and a Jewish philanthropist, has been involved in promoting sports in Israel, notably sponsoring the construction of the Kraft Family Sports Campus in Jerusalem, which includes an American football field. The nearby Gan Sacher park often hosts informal football and flag football activities.
It is worth noting that Jerusalem”s largest stadium, Teddy Stadium, has a capacity of just 31,000 spectators. In contrast, attendance at NFL international games has ranged from over 86,000 to approximately 47,000, highlighting the potential challenges of hosting an NFL event in the region.
