Fields Apart: Why College Football is America’s Passion and the UK’s Underdog
In the United States, high school football is a defining tradition, where teenage boys push themselves to the edge in pursuit of a dream: a Division I college scholarship and a chance at sporting glory. How far are these young athletes willing to go?
With over a million high school players nationwide, only 6% progress to college-level athletics.
Having moved from Southern California—a region divided between UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans—to London, I’m frequently asked the same question: Why is college football so big?
It’s a valid point. Collegiate sports have grown into a billion-dollar industry, turning players like Caleb Williams from USC and Trevor Lawrence from Clemson into household names before their NFL careers even begin.
In the US, autumn isn’t just a season of changing leaves; it’s football season. Families gather in their alma mater’s colours to tailgate and cheer on their teams on Saturdays, followed by Sundays spent glued to NFL games and fantasy league updates.
The NFL averages 17–18 million views per game, and college football isn’t far behind. In October, a game between Georgia and Texas drew in an impressive 13.19 million viewers.
To put the scale into perspective Michigan University’s, Michigan Stadium, the largest college football venue, holds 107,601 fans, while the UK’s largest stadium, Wembley, seats just 90,000. If Wembley were a college football stadium, it wouldn’t even rank in the top ten for capacity.
The Rise of American Football in the UK
The NFL’s International Series began in 2007, bringing almost annual games to Great Britain. However, American football first arrived in Britain over a century earlier, introduced in the 1910s by US service members. It wasn’t until 70 years later that the sport gained a foothold in British culture, when Channel 4 began broadcasting NFL games in 1982, including the UK’s first televised Super Bowl.
From NFL Academy to Division I: Andy Quinn’s Journey to the Next Level
College football has made its mark across the Atlantic, with events like the Aer Lingus College Football Classic drawing significant attention. It was at the 2022 edition of the event that Andy Quinn’s life changed. During a halftime kicking contest in front of 47,000 spectators, the 22 year-old used a rugby ball and his background in rugby and Gaelic football to prepare for the challenge. His 47-yard kick earned him the title of “kicking king,” catching the attention of many, including the NFL Academy.
“That was the first time I ever kicked an American football,” Quinn said. “So that was my introduction to the sport. It was also the first time I realized how big college football is.”
“No one really grew up playing American football in the academy. Everyone is learning a new sport,” he said, noting that the coaching staff understood this and emphasized both skill development and understanding the game itself.
For Andy Quinn, transitioning from rugby to American football required significant technical and mental adjustments. “On a technical level, it was the speed of the kick,” he explained. “I only have two seconds, from snap to kick, to get the ball off. There wasn’t that type of rush in rugby.”
Quinn also reflected on the contrasting roles between the two sports. In rugby, he played a position similar to a quarterback—where he was consistently involved in play, calling moves, and driving the game. As a kicker in American football, his involvement is far more sporadic. “I’m involved for maybe three minutes a game,” Quinn said. “I have to adapt to being on the sideline for large periods, and then once I’m on the field, I have to perform.”
This shift in pace and focus has been one of the biggest challenges of his journey, requiring a new mindset to thrive in his specialized role. Andy Quinn vividly recalls a defining week in his American football journey, highlighted by a game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. “That was only my second game of American football ever, and to play in a stadium that holds around 65,000 people felt incredible—like a coliseum,” he said. The match ended in a resounding 35-0 victory, creating an electric atmosphere that solidified his growing passion for the sport.
The achievement was even more remarkable given the team’s prior success that week, defeating IMG Academy for the first time in NFL Academy history. “In the space of a week, we’d beaten two American high schools,” Quinn reflected. “It felt like all the hard work was paying off.”
The week’s triumphs also brought tangible rewards. “A good few of the lads got scholarship offers on the pitch after that game,” Quinn said.
At the professional level, the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program provides another significant opportunity. Similar to the NFL Academy, the IPP allows international players to get a shot at the NFL, opening doors that once seemed impossible for athletes outside the US. “It’s like a big brother to the NFL Academy,” Quinn explains, referring to the IPP’s role in bringing international talent to America.
Andy Quinn had the unique opportunity to play for the Irish national American football team, the Irish Wolfhounds, where he was named Special Teams MVP.
Reflecting on his journey,“It gave me the chance not only to play my first game but to represent my country,” he said. “Not everyone can say they’ve played for their national team, so that was pretty special.”
For Quinn, playing at the international level not only offered a chance to represent his country but also gave him the platform to develop and improve his skills in American football.
The difference between college sports in America and Ireland is stark, according to Andy Quinn. Reflecting on the experience, he described it as “indescribable” compared to the relatively modest crowds of Irish university rugby games. “In Ireland, a big crowd at a university rugby game might be 500 people. In America, it’s on a completely different level,” Quinn said. “It’s just massive, and the opportunity to be part of it is incredible.”
Looking ahead, Quinn is preparing to join Boston College, a Division One school, and fully immerse himself in American college sports. “I just can’t wait to get out there, perform, and show America and college football what Irish kids can do,” he said, eager to seize the next chapter in his career.
The NFL Academy
The NFL Academy in Loughborough, England, is a program created by the National Football League to help young athletes aged 16–19 develop their skills in American football while continuing their education. The academy combines top-level coaching, including guidance from former NFL players, with academic studies like A-levels or BTECs. It aims to prepare students for college football in the U.S. or even professional careers. Alongside sports training, the program focuses on building life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and discipline. With connections to the NFL, students also get opportunities to showcase their talents to scouts and coaches, making it a one-of-a-kind chance for young players to chase their dreams in the sport.
American Quarterback in the UK
Chris Venegas, a Southern California native, began playing American football at the age of 11. Despite not fitting the traditional physical profile of a quarterback, he thrived on the challenge. As a first-generation college student, Vengas turned down Division I opportunities to stay close to home, playing for the University of La Verne in the competitive SCIAC conference.
Balancing the demands of being a full-time student-athlete was no small feat. Alongside a rigorous course load, Venegas managed a successful YouTube channel with 300,000 subscribers, all while enduring two-a-day practices and weekly games. His ability to juggle these responsibilities was key to his success.
When the time came to say goodbye to his playing days in the US, an unexpected opportunity arose. In autumn 2023, Venegas began a master’s degree at Nottingham Trent University joining the Renegades American football team. The transition was humbling, teaching him patience as he adjusted to the differences in the sport’s culture and infrastructure.
Describing the difference, “It’s very different only because in American football in the UK you may not have the type of experience that one would have in the US.”
“You might have no experience at all and they’ll still let you on the team,” Venegas said.
Despite these challenges, Venegas led the Renegades to an undefeated 2024 season, securing promotion to the Premier Division and earning a place in the Division One Championship. Although the team ultimately fell to the Exeter Demons, Venegas reflected positively on the experience.
“It’s just making sure everyone knew what they were doing and that we were all on the same page. I think that was the biggest thing. As long as we’re on the same page, knowing that we’re all just trying to win at the end of the day, that’s really all that matters, we’re just playing the same sport that we love, which is football.”
Competing in the British University and College Sports (BUCS) league, Venegas was named Offensive MVP, breaking records and becoming the league’s top quarterback.
On the different level of college sports in the US vs the UK, Venegas said, “They’re very blessed to and fortunate enough to like having those things unlike the UK where, you know, you don’t have none of that.”
“If those guys ever have the opportunity and the possibility to even get that, they would for sure appreciate it as much more as they would do over here,” he said.
The disparities also highlighted a broader debate in college sports: athlete compensation. In the US, the NCAA long prohibited payments to college athletes, citing the importance of maintaining amateurism. High-profile cases like Reggie Bush, who was stripped of his 2005 Heisman Trophy over receiving benefits, brought the issue into sharp focus. In 2021, the US Supreme Court ruled in favour of allowing athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), a landmark decision that reshaped collegiate sports.
Today, players like Shedeur Sanders, quarterback at the University of Colorado Boulder, earn millions through NIL deals, with Sanders reportedly making $4.5 million annually. Venegas supports the move towards compensating student-athletes.
“To use their likeness and to make money off their name because the NCAA was doing that off of them. But I feel like it’s more of a business now. You gotta treat yourself and your name and everything that you do, um, in a correct way,” said Venegas.
The growth of American football in the UK shows promise, according to Chris Venegas, who sees potential for the sport’s future across the Atlantic. “I think it’s going to take a lot of hard work and, eventually, yes, it can grow. But there’s still a long way to go. I feel like the coaches play a big part in that,” he said.
Last year, the Nottingham Trent Renegades rostered 60 players. Following their recent success, the team’s size has more than doubled, with 130 students expressing interest in joining this season.
As Venegas contemplates his next move—possibly playing abroad—his football journey is far from over.
The Reality of American Football played in Universities in the UK
Cameron Archibald is a center for the City, University of London’s American football team. When asked about the fan turnout for games and how many sit in the stands, he replied, “What stands?”
Like most American football players in the UK, Archibald was a rugby player looking for a new contact sport. Despite the stereotype of the American sport being “soft” he enjoyed watching the sport after the 2022 Super Bowl.
In comparison to the six month season in the states, the UK American football season is shortened to four. With only five other teams in the division to play, they have six games through the season.
“Recruiting is relatively difficult. I’m on the committee this year, so this was my first chance to go along to freshers fairs and try and bring people into the team and you have to do so much convincing” said Archibald.
It is common for university teams to travel across the states for games, with luxuries of coach, or even a plane. The city team can often be spotted taking the train out near West Ham Station to their shared pitch. The difference in obtaining equipment is a struggle that the team faces, having just gotten new helmets after using the same ones from 2013.
“Simple things like sourcing kits are not available over here. We are paying much more for replacing our kit than you would be in America ’cause it’s all made over there. We don’t get a huge amount of funding from the university,” said Archilbald.
Cameron Archibald suggests that newcomers to American football should start with RedZone on Sunday nights to get an overview of the sport. “It’s an engaging way to watch multiple games and learn,” he explains. For those looking to dive deeper, Archibald recommends attending local club games or university matches Encouraging people to get involved and experience the sport firsthand. Once they do, Archibald believes they’ll quickly develop an appreciation for the game.
It’s no secret that college athletes in the US are given a larger platform, is the fans or media to thank because of this? However, the excitement around American football abroad is undeniable, and as more players like Andy Quinn and Chris Venegas find success in both the UK and the US, the future of the sport across the Atlantic looks increasingly promising.
