Lions DE Ziggy Ansah wants NFL game in Africa
Detroit Lions' Ziggy Ansah says he favors an NFL game to be played in Africa, reports Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News.
The defensive end is in London ahead of the Lions’ game against the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
Ansah believes that the NFL will eventually reach Africa and suggests Ghana as a potential host for a game. “Yeah, it will happen,” he said. “It’s in London, why not Africa?”
Lions safety James Ihedigbo, whose parents emigrated from Nigeria to the States, also believes an NFL game should be played in Africa.
Earlier this week, Ansah visited his sister in London, seeing her for the first time since he moved from Ghana six years ago.
Sunday’s game at Wembley Stadium is a part of the NFL International Series. At least one regular season NFL game has been played in London every year since 2007, with plans to continue the International Series through at least 2016. Prior to the International Series, preseason games were played in countries including Tokyo, Berlin and Mexico City as part of the American Bowl.
Ansah was the fifth overall pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2013 draft. In his rookie season, he had eight sacks and 32 combined tackles. He has 3.5 sacks so far this year.
The Lions are first in the NFC North with a record of 5-2. They face the 2-5 Falcons Sunday.
- Danielle Zhu
