Sports / Soccer |
Beckham gets "football" lesson from NFL's Reggie Bush(AFP)Updated: 2007-06-26 17:05 England football hero David Beckham and American football star Reggie Bush tried out each other's sport as part of the marketing hype that is already under way regarding Beckham's new US adventure.
Bush, a running back for the New Orleans Saints, and Beckham, whose 250 million-dollar deal with Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy begins next week, met in Madrid to film a sponsor's advertisement campaign.
Don't look for Beckham to be strapping on shoulder pads and a helmet in the National Football League just yet, but the former Real Madrid star is excited about the prospect of learning the gridiron game.
"Without a doubt I'm definitely going to get myself to some games," Beckham said. "I've never been to an (NFL) game. Every time I've seen the Super Bowl... everyone - the fans, the players - seems so passionate about it."
Beckham donned an NFL Saints uniform, number 23 of course, and ran pass patterns with Bush guarding him, spiking the NFL ball after a touchdown catch. He also punted and attempted long field goals with Bush serving as holder.
"Since I signed with the Galaxy, I'm trying to get myself to say soccer because I've always said football," Beckham said.
Bush traded his pads for shorts, soccer shoes and shin pads and tried bending balls like Beckham on free kicks in the meeting arranged by shoemaker adidas. He also played goalkeeper as Beckham fired short-range penalty kicks.
"What soccer is to Europe, I think that's what American football is to America," Bush said.
"It would seem like (soccer) would be the sport you actually call football because you're kicking it with your foot. We call (American football) football, but we actually throw it a lot more than we kick it."
Beckham and Bush return to work next month. Beckham joins the Galaxy at mid-season with the team struggling to avoid the MLS basement. Bush's Saints open training camp after falling one game shy of the Super Bowl last season.
Bush said he would attend Beckham's first match in Los Angeles. Just when
that will be played is still anyone's guess, although a July 21 match against
Chelsea appears the most likely debut for Beckham in a Galaxy uniform.
|
|