The NFL has become known for popularizing themes. Already, the league celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. But for Weeks 7 and 8, the league will continue to go international with the league’s upcoming venture: Honoring the NFL’s Heritage Program.
From the current NFL standings to team depth charts to coverage of every game in the 18-week NFL schedule, we have all the news from around the league to keep you up to speed!
What Is the Heritage Program in the NFL?
All 32 teams will have players having a helmet decal of their native nation. During the upcoming slate of games, fans will see different star players wear a special decal of the flag of the nation they’re representing.
“Across Weeks 7 and 8 of the 2023 season, over 330 players and coaches will return to the field wearing international flag decals, with players adding flags to their helmets and coaches wearing patches on jackets to represent the ever-growing pool of various nationalities and cultures that make up the League,” a news release from the NFL wrote on Thursday.
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Additionally, the NFL’s executive vice president of club business, international and league events Peter O’Reilly added what the reason behind the initiative entails.
“As we continue to prioritize the NFL’s growth globally, we’re proud to have our players and coaches honor their backgrounds through the NFL Heritage Program,” said O’Reilly.
“This initiative allows us to celebrate the heritage, families, and cultures that make up the fabric of the League, and truly showcases the growing global reach and impact of the sport of football and the NFL.”
Participants will wear a decal of the country they were born or the nation they have family relations with.
Who will be among the star NFL players participating in the two-week event?
Participating Players Include Tua Tagovailoa, Fred Warner, and Rookie Puka Nacua
The league is a diverse one, and that diversity will be on display for the next two weeks with some notable stars taking part.
Tua Tagovailoa, who is of Polynesian descent, will have a decal of America Samoa when his Miami Dolphins face the Philadelphia Eagles. He won’t be alone. Safety Jevon Holland will have a Canada decal, and Emmanuel Ogbah will have Nigeria on his helmet.
Via the release, top Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua will be a first-time participant as he plans to honor his late grandmother.
“My grandmother was born and raised in Samoa and recently left us in 2021,” said Nacua, who will display the Samoan flag on his helmet.
“To be able to represent our family’s heritage and feel like she is here with me on the field is the most incredible thing. I’m proud to play for all of our Samoan fans out there and can hopefully inspire future generations of Samoan athletes.”
Also taking part are:
- Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals, South Korea
- Taylor Rapp, Buffalo Bills, China
- Mazi Smith, Dallas Cowboys, Nigeria
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions, Germany
- Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers, Mexico
