Typically, when people think of the NFL, they picture America, Sunday nights, and beer. Madrid, or Spain in general, usually does not come to mind. Yet my first NFL game as an American took place in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium last Sunday. I was not there as a fan or even as a journalist, but as a volunteer for the NFL. My classmates and I had been told we would be doing mundane tasks like helping fans find the bathroom or directing them to the nearest hot dog stand.
When I arrived and saw my assignment slip labeled “Red Carpet” with no explanation, I was confused. It was only a few hours before kickoff that I learned I would be assisting VIP guests to their seats after they walked the red carpet. I was excited to see who I might come across, but also anxious because we had been given only twenty minutes of training. I ended up seeing Real Madrid legends like Marco Asensio and Rüdiger, along with rival player Antoine Griezmann.
Inside, the stadium looked incredible and almost unrecognizable. The pitch had been transformed into an American football field, complete with the home and away team logos on each side and the classic NFL logo right in the center.
Overall, it was a great experience and I learned a lot about the planning that goes into a major event like an NFL game, especially inside a stadium as iconic as the Santiago Bernabéu. My only regret is not staying to watch the halftime show.
