Watch the Gridiron Japan Livestreams!

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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. 

www.gridironjapantv.net

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.