AND UNCENSORED
Spinner Howland was invited onto the Tom McManus Uncensored TV show to take part in a segment that touched on the similarities and differences in American Football and Rugby League in an effort to expose sport as a real option for football fans in Jacksonville. Spinner joined Tom and another Jacksonville legend Pete Mitchell, who also played for the Jaguars as well as being a member of the 2000 New York Giants Super Bowl team, as the three men pointed out some of the basic variances that exist between the two football codes.
Spinner also got to join the shows "Round Table" segment that saw yet another Jacksonville legend join the group as Kevin Hardy sat down to help discuss the experiences of various venues around the world. Like Tom and Pete, Kevin played for the Jaguars and also had time with the Dallas Cowboys and the Bengals in a very successful NFL career that started with him being the 2nd overall pick in the 1996 draft and lasting 9 years.
The three NFL stars commented not only on venues within the NFL but also during their college football careers, which is something Rugby League stars from around the world never get to experience as a player and is so unique to the American sporting culture. Spinner then pointed out that the size of American sports crowds are tough to match in any country around the world but the history of certain venues that host Rugby League games is unmatched due to the atmosphere they generate. Old Trafford, Lang Park and the former Sydney Olympic Stadium all get a mention. Spinner also stated that Rugby League players are fortunate to play a sport where representing your nation is possible at the highest level and although the experience NFL players get during their career is something very special, it is tough to match the feeling of playing any sport with your countries colors covering your body.
Both segments go a long way in showing the average American sports fan that the gap between the two sports is not really that wide and Rugby League is something that can be enjoyed and understood with minimal time being needed in explaining rules or game structure. Showing them that the game is played at first class venues and at a professional level in other countries legitimizes the efforts of the domestic competition and puts a value on the outcome and success of the games and the teams themselves.
After the show Spinner was asked how he felt about the opportunity, "It's pretty tough to beat. Firstly Tom invited me on his show in his ongoing effort to support the Axemen and Rugby League. It just goes to show the kind of genuine bloke he is in helping the underdog make it. Then he brings in Pete Mitchell who played in a Superbowl and Kevin Hardy who was the 2nd overall pick in an NFL draft and sits me at the same table for a discussion. Flattered, honored and very grateful would be appropriate I think."
The Tom McManus Uncensored TV show will air this Thursday on Comcast cable channel 7 at 6pm and then again on Sunday at 9am before the NFL pregame shows start.
To visit Toms show details click on the 930 the Fox Link on the front page of the Axemen website.