The National Football League has unveiled plans to honour players from the league who have made an impact on the game overseas, with the first-ever NFL London Games Ring of Honour ceremony set to take place during the half-time festivities of the New York Jets-Minnesota Vikings game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next weekend (October 6th).

The celebration will also help to mark the 17-year history of the NFL playing in the United Kingdom, as London-born, two-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora and five-time Pro Bowler Jared Allen become the first inductees recognising those who have contributed to the growth and development of football in the U.K. and Ireland, both on- and off-the-field. As part of the honour, banners will be displayed at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium throughout the 2024 London Games, and will return in the NFL seasons ahead.

Umenyiora played for 12 seasons, primarily with the New York Giants, and featured in three international games, both in London (2007, 2014) and Toronto (2013). Following his playing career, the second-round draft pick transitioned to help grow the game on a large scale, helping to create the International Player Pathway (IPP) programme and leading the league’s international expansion efforts across Africa. He also continues to give back to the international community via his own talent identification programme The Uprise, his role as IFAF and NFL Global Flag Football Ambassador and his ongoing contributions to the NFL community in the U.K., as well as his role as broadcaster and presenter across the NFL season on Sky Sports and ITV.

“I played in the first NFL regular season game in London in 2007, so to be honoured this season is extremely humbling,” Umenyiora remarked. “The sport and the league have grown tremendously in the last 17 years, and we’ve seen the incredible impact that growth has had on young athletes and fans alike. I look forward to helping continue the league’s international expansion in the years ahead and to inspire talent across the world.”

Allen was drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft and also played for 12 seasons, spending the majority of his career with the Minnesota Vikings. He played in one international game at Wembley Stadium in London in 2013, where he notched 2.5 of 136 career sacks and helped turn the game for Minnesota against Pittsburgh. With the Vikings having marketing rights in the U.K. via the NFL’s Global Markets Programme, Allen has become a leading figure in promoting international fandom.

“London is very close to my heart, with a loyal Vikings fanbase and a place I will always remember playing,” said Allen. “Being recognised in the first-ever International Ring of Honour ceremony is an exciting moment, and I’m looking forward to being back in the U.K. at the first of three 2024 NFL London Games this season. The energy will be incredible.”

“Osi and Jared are two fantastic honourees for our inaugural International Ring of Honour ceremony in London,” NFL U.K. & Ireland General Manager Henry Hodgson noted. “Both players had a role in cementing the league’s international growth, and continue to have a significant impact on the game and our growing fandom in the U.K. We look forward to kicking off our 2024 London Games recognising and celebrating their contributions.”