NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is bringing football to the border. An AFC Conference match-up between the Oakland Raiders and Houston Texans is scheduled for Nov. 21 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico. Goodell witnessed the success the National Football League had with games in London last season and wants to built off that.
Texans. Raiders. @nflmx.#MiPartidoMiNFL #NFLMexicohttps://t.co/jramZoso7y
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) February 5, 2016
Two former Alabama standouts will take on the Mexican border next fall, Amari Cooper and Kareem Jackson.
Cooper was the catalyst behind a Raiders’ team that made tremendous strides in 2015. He was selected as the fourth overall pick in last year’s draft and became the first rookie in Oakland history to post 1,000 yards receiving. Cooper totaled 1,070 yards and six touchdowns on 72 catches. He was the first Raiders wide out since Randy Moss to record 1,000 yards in a season.
Kevin Jairaj – USA TODAY Sports
Jackson was taken by the Texans with the 20th pick during the 2010 NFL Draft. He finished last season with 58 total tackles, a tackle for loss, six pass breakups, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown.
Jackson guided Houston to the playoffs, earning it a spot against Kansas City on AFC Wildcard weekend.
The NFL played its first international game in Mexico on Oct. 2, 2005 for a crowd of 103,467 fans. Arizona faced San Francisco on the day in question, securing a 31-14 victory.
Cooper and Jackson will be a part of a second contest taking center stage in Mexico.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
