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The Gridiron Japan crew sits down with Tokyo Gas Creators' star defensive lineman, St. Louis native Matt McClellan to talk about his journey to Japan where he is leading his team on a quest for championship glory. 

 The Gridiron Japan crew sits down with the new IBM Big Blue TE Tommy Auger. Tommy is an LFA and FCF (Fan Controlled Football) All-Pro, as well as an AFCA All-American. While playing in the LFA he set league records for single season reception, yards and touchdowns. A feat we hope he repeats here in Japan. 

With Aaron back in Japan, Greg finds out how he is settling in and how things are going with the savior of his new team, the Ibaraki Saviors. Greg and Aaron give a quick fan and player look and thoughts of the upcoming week 1 games in 2025 X League Super competition. After which they give their thoughts about the topic we covered in last week's show, the 2026 X League restructuring. 

With the release yesterday of the 2025 X League Super schedule, John and Greg take a look at the games for the six week autumn schedule for the top 12 teams of Japan's top tier gridiron division. The also talk about some of the new names coming to Japan and also not returning to Japan, and also talk a little about why vuvuzelas are frowned upon in sports.

Professional football in Japan, often referred to as the X-League, is a unique sports spectacle. Combining the precision of American football with the passion of Japanese athletes, this league has been steadily growing in popularity. It showcases a thrilling blend of homegrown talent and international influences, offering a unique gridiron experience. 

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The unofficial fourth member of the podcast is Aaron Ellis, who is presently the starting quarterback for the Dentsu Caterpillars and a regular guest on the Gridiron Japan podcast. Aaron is an alumnus of the University of Saint Francis, in Joliet, Illinois, and was named MVP of the X-League Area division in 2022.

www.gridironjapantv.net

Decades ago on a hot August Japanese night, with a notable lack of hype or fanfare, the Chargers and Cardinals met in a Week 3 preseason matchup that marked the first time an NFL game had been played outside of North America. No two NFL teams had ever traveled farther to meet on the football field, and though it was a relatively meaningless exhibition game, the Mainichi Star Bowl -- as it was labeled by its local sponsors -- it provided a trove of memories for the men who played in it, with its eye-opening cultural discoveries.