NFL Films and "Men in Blazers" have partnered to tackle American football.
The decorated pigskin program and the popular soccer show announced its partnership on Tuesday to develop a new digital video series, Men in Blazers: Tackle Football -- Countdown to London, October 25th.
The new series premieres Tuesday on Yahoo with additional distribution across NFL Media digital channels, as well as NFL Network. With approximately 30 episodes in total, the series will release a new episode daily until October 27th.
Hosts of Men in Blazers Michael Davies and Roger Bennett will go behind the scenes and in-depth with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills as the two franchises prepare to kick off a new era of sports programming with their October 25th game in London's Wembley Stadium, which will be streamed live to a global audience on Yahoo sites and apps. In a move media analysts are calling a "milestone event," the Week 7 game in London between the Jaguars and Bills represents the first time ever an NFL game has been streamed for free around the world as its primary mode of distribution.
Using a style that has gained Davies and Bennett a cult-like following and large social presence, Men in Blazers: Tackle Football will provide a unique and unprecedented look at both the Jaguars and Bills. With NFL Films as their escort, Davies and Bennett will interview key members of both organizations from ownership to equipment managers and everyone in between -- utilizing their keen wit and intelligence as they explore the world of professional football in the United States.
"Combining the storytelling and access of NFL Films with the wit and intelligence of the Men in Blazers is a match made in sports production heaven," said NFL Films coordinating producer Keith Cossrow. "The beneficiary of this collaboration will, of course, be the viewer who will get a whole different take on American Football, the NFL, Buffalo, Jacksonville and their respective franchises. It will be an entertaining ride."
"We have both been fascinated by the NFL since we were kids in England," said Bennett. "Davo watched Montana battle Marino in Super Bowl XIX. I fell in love with the Jim McMahon Bears in their Super Bowl winning season, and became so obsessed, I flew out to Chicago to meet the team in the wake of their triumph."
"When the NFL schedule comes out, most fans ring the dates the Cowboys play Washington, or the Ravens play the Steelers, our eyes immediately look to see who is going to travel to Wembley," added Davies. "We are always fascinated to see which NFL teams will be sent to grow the sport in our home country. Those London games are our 'Super Bowls.'"
Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 29 and running through Tues., Oct. 27, a new episode of Men in Blazers: Tackle Football will premiere each day on Yahoo, including the Yahoo Sports homepage, the Yahoo Sports NFL page and Yahoo's destination site for its global live stream of the Oct. 25 game.* Men in Blazers: Tackle Football* will conclude in London with Davies and Bennett providing their thoughts and reaction to the game between the Jaguars and Bills.
Following the premiere of each episode on Yahoo, segments from Men in Blazers: Tackle Football will be distributed across all NFL Media digital channels, including NFL.com, NFL Mobile from Verizon and NFL Now, as well as NFL Network. Full-length interviews will also appear on the* Men in Blazers* podcast.
