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Browns’ Deshaun Watson headlining NFL’s effort to bring the game to a part of the world it hasn’t been

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated 4/24/24

The NFL is getting bigger and bigger and the professional football brand is no longer just a game played in the United States, it’s become much bigger.

There will be an NFL game played in Brazil this year, in the past they’ve played games in Germany, Mexico, and London, England to name a few places.

Still, the NFL wants to continue growing their global brand and Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson may be at the forefront for helping spread it to somewhere it has never been.

I had a nice time visiting Saudi Arabia and learned a lot about the original Saudi culture and society.

And I enjoyed watching Al-Nassar, Al-Al-Wali and Al-Hilal, Al-Zaim, and I heard a lot about the singing of Al-Ahly fans and Al-Ittihad.

Special thanks to His Royal Highness…
— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) April 23, 2024

Watson spent time with known San Francisco 49ers super fan Abdullah Bin Massad, who is the son of Prince Musa'id bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. He also attended a soccer game while in Saudi Arabia.

Soccer is a popular sport in Saudi, but the game of American football seems to be growing its way over there. As you see at the end of Watson’s post on X, he is a fan of bringing the American sport over to the new culture.

The NFL has never been shy from playing in new places. Anywhere there are eyes and possible fans of the game, the NFL wants to get in front of them and grow the game globally. Japan, Ireland, Australia, Sweden, and Spain are other countries that have posted a preseason game.

Each year we’re likely to see a new spot pop up that the NFL wants to play a game. There’s a chance that they might eventually make their way to Saudi, at least Cleveland’s starting quarterback is hoping.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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