English language news coverage of American football in Japan. 日本のアメリカンフットボールを英語で報道。
English language news coverage of American football in Japan. 日本のアメリカンフットボールを英語で報道。
Autumn has arrived in Japan, and the crew sits down to first talk about Aaron's six touchdown performance against the Bulls Eyes in X1 Area week two play and the state of the Caterpillars as they seek to move back up to X1 Super. The guys then talk about the week that was in the X1 Super and give their insights as to who is trending up and down, showing improvement, hanging loose, treading water and/or in need of prayers going into the second half of the season.
On a late night in Japan, John, Greg and Aaron do a deep dive on the games played in spite of the obstacles faced by a typhoon that brought lightening storms and heavy rain.
The Gridiron Japan crew is honored to be joined by new IBM Big Blue head coach Mike Phair!
The Nishinomiya Bruins vs Sidewinders
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.
BJ is a former all-star linebacker with the X-League's Obic Seagulls where he played for approximately 11 years prior to his retirement. His final game was a member of Team Japan in 2023 when he played in the Dream Bowl against the Ivy League all-stars. When not co-hosting the Gridiron Japan podcast, during the day BJ is serves as the defensive line coach with Tokyo University.
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.
Local Japanese coverage of the then St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Chargers contest in the 1976 Mainichi Star Bowl in Japan. This was the first NFL game played outside of North America. The Cardinals won the game 20-10, which was played, as most games were then, in a baseball parks, this one being the now demolished Korakuen Stadium in Tokyo.
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.
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