NFL Star Reggie Bush Challenges Beckham to Maintain First Rights to “Football” Name
This summer’s hottest premiere will take place on the soccer field when international star David Beckham makes his debut with the Los Angeles Galaxy in July. As Beckham’s arrival in the U.S. nears, the debate on futbol and football begins with New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush swapping the pigskin for a soccer ball. Bush traveled to Madrid to show off some of his fancy footwork and teach Beckham a few things about sports culture in the U.S. as an official welcome to the American sports scene.
“Since I signed with the Galaxy, you know every time I do an interview, I’m trying to get myself to say soccer because I’ve always said football,” Beckham told Bush during their meeting in Madrid where the two world-class athletes traded sports for a day.
“And when you think about our sport we call football, it would seem like [soccer] would be the sport you actually call football because you’re kicking it with your foot, so it makes sense,” said Bush. “We call [American football] football, but we actually throw it a lot more than we kick it.”
Beckham and Bush showed off their athletic skills and challenged each other to tackle their respective sports. Beckham attempted a record-breaking field goal with Bush as his placeholder and Bush attempted to “Bend it like Beckham” as he practiced free kicks. Never before seen footage of this meeting will be available for viewing at www.futbolmeetsfootball.com.
To build momentum for Beckham’s U.S. arrival, adidas brought these two star athletes together to embody the world’s most popular and entertaining sports through two of its biggest stars.
“adidas is proud to support individuals like David Beckham and Reggie Bush who display the world-class athleticism and charisma representative of our athletes. Futbol meets Football is an extension of the Impossible is Nothing brand mantra – unmatchable skill and talent that isn’t afraid to face something new and unfamiliar,” said Stephen Pierpoint, vice president, adidas America. “We believe sports fans in America will adopt this same mentality and escalate their passion for soccer in the same way they follow football.”
Major League Soccer in America is poised for tremendous growth. More than 140 million Americans tuned in for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, compared to the 90 million Americans who watched the 2007 NFL Super Bowl. As the most recognizable soccer player in the world enters the U.S. playing field, the stage is set to catapult Major League Soccer to an unprecedented level of professionalism, skill and fan frenzy. Whether soccer can garner the attention of sports fans in the States long term may depend on how it can compete with America’s most popular sport, football.
Beckham said, “I’ve never been to an [American football] game. I want to. Because every time I’ve seen the Super Bowl or something like that, it’s so passionate. Everyone – the fans, the players – seems so passionate about it.”
“It’s a big deal,” Bush said. “What soccer is to Europe, I think that’s what American football is to America.”
“Without a doubt,” Beckham said. “I’m definitely going to get myself to some games.”
During Beckham and Bush’s meeting in Madrid, Beckham strapped on a Saints helmet and uniform with his signature number 23 and performed running drills, ran pass routes with Bush defending him and kicked long-range field goals and punts. Bush, meanwhile, laced up his soccer boots and shin pads and defended short-range penalty kicks from Beckham playing goal keeper.
Although each athlete looked momentarily uncomfortable in their new sports, they were able to quickly grasp the nuances, such as Beckham spiking the football after a touchdown catch and Bush playing a spirited game of keepy uppy with his knees and feet. Later, the two athletes exchanged jerseys and discussed what Beckham should expect after arriving in the U.S., from fan reaction to media attention.
Beckham is scheduled to begin his season with the Galaxy this July, while Bush arrives at training camp for his second year with the Saints shortly after. Before reporting, Bush has promised to attend Beckham’s first Galaxy match in Los Angeles.
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adidas is a global designer, developer and marketer of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories with the mission to be the leading sports brand in the world. Brand adidas is part of the adidas Group, a corporation that includes brands such as Reebok, TaylorMade and Rockport.
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