The NFL will hold a moment of silence before Thursday night's season-opening kickoff game between the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen of England, whose 70 year and 214 day reign was the longest of any British monarch, died Thursday at the age of 96.
News of the moment of silence was shared by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Before tonight’s #Rams-#Bills game, the NFL will have a moment of silence to recognize the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 8, 2022
The Queen's deathwas felt internationally, and it also has touched the game of football. During a trip to the United States in 1957, Queen Elizabeth -- then five years into her reign after assuming the throne upon the death of George VI -- attended an ACC football game between the Maryland Terrapins and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Queen Elizabeth's attendance at the game, which was won 21-7 by Maryland, was remembered Thursday by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
We join the world in sending our condolences to The Royal Family on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) September 8, 2022
On her first visit to the U.S. as queen in 1957, she experienced “American Football” for the first time at a game between @TerpsFootball & @UNCFootball. pic.twitter.com/anvX0zDAyO
In over a half century's time since Queen Elizabeth's visit to a football game, the game of gridiron football has since expanded to have a significant presence in the United Kingdom. The NFL has played regular season games in London annually since 2007, with the Jacksonville Jaguars playing at least one game across the pond every season.
Reaction to the Queen's death has poured in from across the sporting landscape, and you can see more of that reaction here.
