Commissioner Roger Goodell opens up on likelihood of NFL returning to Ireland again after Croke Park clash
By Stephen Kelly
Copyright thesun
ROGER Goodell has ‘no doubt’ that the NFL will return to Ireland.
The Pittsburgh Steelers face the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park today — the first time Ireland has hosted a regular-season game. It is the second of seven international games this season.
And NFL Commissioner Goodell said: “We never like to say whether we are coming back until we finish the first one, so let’s talk about it Monday.
“But I have no doubt this is going to be incredibly successful. I have no doubt that we’ll be back.”
Australia will host a regular-season game for the first time next year.And on Friday it was announced Rio de Janeiro will join the list of international hosts in 2026.
Goodell added: “I think our next step after Australia would be moving into Asia.”
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers cannot wait for kick-off at Croker.
The Steelers are owned by the Rooney family and Dan Rooney — son of the team’s founder Art — served as the US Ambassador to Ireland under President Barack Obama.
Rodgers said: “This game means a lot to us. We want to represent the team and the Rooney legacy well.
“Being a part of the first game in Ireland is pretty cool. I have Irish heritage, so I’m very excited to get out there.”
The occasion is made extra special by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ long standing connection to Ireland.
Art Rooney bought the NFL franchise back in 1933, when they were initially named the Pirates.
Rooney’s great-grandparents were Irish emigrants, leaving their home town of Newry in the 1840s.
The famine drove the family to Pennsylvania via Wales and Canada as they looked to start a new life.
The Rooney family have since been heavily involved in the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Art Rooney renamed the franchise in 1940 to differentiate from the baseball team and also pay homage to the city’s steel industry.
Three of Art’s descendants have since played huge roles in the running of the six-time Super Bowl winning franchise.
Dan Rooney was the former team chairman and also acted as the United States Ambassador to Ireland for three years.
Art Rooney Jr and Art Rooney II are still involved with the team as vice president and team president respectively.
Art II’s son has also followed suit as Martin was made the director of business development and strategy for the Steelers in 2022.
