NFL Stars and their European Football Counterparts
With the Super Bowl just around the corner, the excitement of the biggest annual sporting event in America is starting to be felt in the UK. The Kansas City Chiefs will play in their fourth Super Bowl in five years against the San Fransico 49ers, who come into the game as favourites having been dominant throughout the season. The two will clash horns in Las Vegas on Sunday in a match that has been highly anticipated not only in America, but across Europe as well.
With 5 regular season NFL games being played in Europe this season, American Football is truly starting to make its presence felt outside of the US. However, when the Super Bowl rolls around every year, online debates rage as to which form of football is superior; American or European?
The same old jabs are thrown each and every year from both sides of the petty argument, (The term ‘Hand-Egg’ really shouldn’t be allowed to garner as many likes as it seemingly always does) from the viewership figures to athletes’ social media followings.
Same argument. Every. Single. Year.
Instead of wasting your precious screen time finding obscure tweets that help justify your stance on such mindless nonsense, why not waste it reading this article where I’ll compare some of the NFL’s top stars to their European Football equivalents? Now whilst this format of journalism might be tried, tested and potentially a little worn out, you can’t deny the light-hearted silliness of it all. And isn’t that what this is all about? Light-hearted silliness? Let’s get into it.
Brock Purdy ≠ Jamie Vardy
While the early career paths of Brock Purdy and Jamie Vardy arguably couldn’t be more different, there is no denying that at no point did anyone think that either would go on to become some of the greatest stories in recent sporting history.
When Vardy made his debut in 2006 for Stocksbridge Park Steels (a semi-professional football club in Sheffield), not even Rishi Sunak would have placed a bet on him leading the line for a Premier League side, let alone starring for them as they lifted the league title in one of the craziest seasons in English football history. Becoming an England international and playing in a World Cup was never part of the script for Mr. Vardy. However, against all odds, the plucky striker from Sheffield has become an unlikely part of footballing history.
A similar sense of ‘how on Earth did that happen?’ is felt when realizing how improbable Brock Purdy’s maiden Super Bowl appearance really is. Hailing from Iowa State University, Purdy was the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, meaning that 261 other players were picked before the 49ers took him onboard. Charmingly dubbed ‘Mr. Irrelevant’, it seemed likely that Purdy would never step onto the field. Fast forward two years and the quarterback finds himself integral to the 49ers run to the Super Bowl, where he could achieve what every American college athlete dreams about.
Another lovely niche similarity you can draw between the two is the attacking weapons both have or had to support them. Brock Purdy’s partnership with wide receiver Deebo Samuel is reminiscent of Jamie Vardy’s telepathic relationship with Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez.
Vardy was rewarded for his efforts with a Premier League medal, could Purdy claim his first Super Bowl ring on Sunday to draw their similarities even closer?
Lamar Jackson ≠ Kylian Mbappé
Now I know what you’re thinking. And I agree. Yes, Patrick Mahomes is the best player in the NFL. So why when comparing to Kylian Mbappé, arguably Europe’s best footballer, have I chosen Lamar Jackson as his equivalent? (Besides a slight Baltimore bias on my part which we will not discuss.)
Well, the similarities are drawn not in the greatness of which either player has already achieved at their young ages, but in what they are lacking. More specifically, the singular thing they are lacking.
Mbappé’s desire for that elusive Champions League trophy, the pinnacle of European football, continues to elude him. Paris Saint-Germain, who bought the then 17-year-old from rivals AS Monaco in 2017 for a staggering €180 million, have tried everything to bring the trophy to Paris. Multiple manager sackings and exuberant spending, which included bringing a certain Lionel Messi to the French capital, have not led them to the ultimate prize. The closest the side got was a loss in the 2020 final to German giants Bayern Munich.
Lamar Jackson’s heartbreak came much more recently, losing the AFC Championship Game to the Chiefs on the 28th of January. His Baltimore Raven’s side were one game away from the Super Bowl. One game away from proving his critics wrong. But when the pressure was on, the Ravens came up short, and the chance for Jackson to fulfil the promise he made to the city of Baltimore when he was drafted in 2018 slipped away for at least another year.
The similarities between the superstar pairing are endless. Both have won numerous individual awards. Both have the pressure of a city on their shoulders. Both hold the burden that any great in any sport must carry.
To win it all. The question is, are they up to the task?
Odell Beckham Jr ≠ Paulo Dybala
It’s puzzling that my favorite selection for this topic is one that not even I am entirely convinced on but please allow me to ramble my logic in your direction for the next few paragraphs. I almost paired OBJ with who I believe to be his most obvious counterpart in Neymar Jr, but who likes obvious?
What drew this pair together in my mind is one overpowering noun and one hypothetical question. Two ‘cult heroes’ adored by their legions of fans, but as their careers enter their twilight years, did they achieve all that they could?
When Argentine Paulo Dybala burst onto the Italian scene in the flattering pink of Palermo, likenesses to Lionel Messi, both in nationality and ability, started to form. Huge pressure to put on talented shoulders, being tipped to fill the boots of one of the greatest to ever kick a ball would weigh heavy on any 20-year-old. But through sheer ability and a wand of a left foot, Dybala lit up the Italian division, earning him a move to giants Juventus in 2015. While he hardly underperformed, injuries and the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018 hampered his ability to be looked upon as one of the best around.
Now plying his trade in the Italian capital for Roma, his presentation to the city alone was proof enough of the undeniable love football has for the little Argentine. Potential may not have been fulfilled but, with the help of a signature celebration, an adorned legacy is being left.
It would be impossible to mention the cross-section between cultural impact and untapped greatness without bringing up Odell Beckham JR. The living and breathing highlight reel caught the attention of America with his signature one handed catches and emphatic touchdown celebrations. His one Super Bowl appearance ended with a win in 2022 with the LA Rams, where he scored the first touchdown of the game in classic OBJ fashion. He would leave the field of play early due to injury, a theme that would play a constant part in his career.
Now playing for the Baltimore Ravens, pending a contract extension, his career highlights rightfully show him as one of the most entertaining players the NFL has ever seen. While questions may be asked over his statistical output at times, there is no denying the joy this man brings to the sporting table, felt in full force by his fans.
The parting bow that ties these two stars together never fails to make me smile. Despite maybe not living up to their lofty potential, both men have given their sports and fans countless moments of unbridled joy and ecstatic celebration. While some athletes are perhaps questioned over never hitting the dizzying heights set out for them, there appears to be a more sincere feeling of appreciation and recognition when discussing the careers of Odell Beckham Jr and Paulo Dybala.
Honorable Mentions
Jason Kelce ≠ Thiago Silva
The two old timers have garnered nothing but respect from fans and players alike as they enter the very final stages of their illustrious careers. Still important as ever on the field and in the dressing room, players with the longevity and talent of Jason Kelce and Thiago Silva do not come around often.
Justin Jefferson ≠ Vinicius Jr
Electric, pacey wide attackers who love to run into open space, when these two are playing at the top of their game, defenses are hardly a match. Should they play their cards right, both are young enough to stake claims to being some of the greatest of their generations in their respective positions.
CJ Stroud ≠ Jude Bellingham
Both of these special young talents are loving life at their new clubs. CJ Stroud had a breakout rookie season and looks nailed on to win Rookie of the Year, while Jude Bellingham has strolled into one of the most demanding clubs on the planet and hit the ground running. Touchdown passes and goals are becoming synonymous with Stroud and Bellingham and with both of them being so young despite their immense talent, it is no wonder their respective teams are looking to build around them.
