Dan Skipper Slams NFL for International Game Expansion: ‘That’s a Joke’
Detroit Lions players are no strangers to tight schedules, having long sacrificed their Thanksgiving holidays to kick off the NFL’s slate of games. But for veteran offensive lineman Dan Skipper, the league’s push to expand its international presence is pushing players too far.
Appearing on The Coaches Pod, Skipper didn’t hold back in criticizing the NFL’s growing number of international games, calling the effort a “joke” and questioning whether the league fully understands the burden it places on players and teams.
“It’s like they throw a dart at a map and say, ‘Let’s play there,’” Skipper said. “We travel with about 200 people. Around 50 of them are expected to go through one of the most physically demanding things a body can endure. And we’re supposed to sit on a plane for 18 hours, deal with jet lag, unfamiliar food, and then go play? Then we fly back and lose our bye week? That’s ridiculous.”
Skipper voiced frustration that while teams work tirelessly to prepare, the NFL seems more focused on global exposure than player wellbeing.
The Lions themselves have had a contentious history with international scheduling. Despite a previous rule that teams could only be scheduled to play in the U.K. once every five years, Detroit was sent to London in both 2014 and 2015. They haven’t been scheduled for an overseas game since.
The NFL recently revealed its 2024 international schedule, which includes a Week 1 matchup between the Chargers and Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil, and additional games in London, Berlin, Madrid, and Dublin.
Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s Executive VP overseeing international strategy, stated that the expansion reflects the league’s “ongoing commitment to becDan Skipper Slams NFL for International Game Expansion: ‘That’s a Joke’
Detroit Lions players are no strangers to tight schedules, having long sacrificed their Thanksgiving holidays to kick off the NFL’s slate of games. But for veteran offensive lineman Dan Skipper, the league’s push to expand its international presence is pushing players too far.
Appearing on The Coaches Pod, Skipper didn’t hold back in criticizing the NFL’s growing number of international games, calling the effort a “joke” and questioning whether the league fully understands the burden it places on players and teams.
“It’s like they throw a dart at a map and say, ‘Let’s play there,’” Skipper said. “We travel with about 200 people. Around 50 of them are expected to go through one of the most physically demanding things a body can endure. And we’re supposed to sit on a plane for 18 hours, deal with jet lag, unfamiliar food, and then go play? Then we fly back and lose our bye week? That’s ridiculous.”
Skipper voiced frustration that while teams work tirelessly to prepare, the NFL seems more focused on global exposure than player wellbeing.
The Lions themselves have had a contentious history with international scheduling. Despite a previous rule that teams could only be scheduled to play in the U.K. once every five years, Detroit was sent to London in both 2014 and 2015. They haven’t been scheduled for an overseas game since.
The NFL recently revealed its 2024 international schedule, which includes a Week 1 matchup between the Chargers and Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil, and additional games in London, Berlin, Madrid, and Dublin.
Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s Executive VP overseeing international strategy, stated that the expansion reflects the league’s “ongoing commitment to becoming a truly global sport.”
However, not everyone is convinced. Steelers Depot reporter Matthew Marczi pointed out that Pittsburgh’s travel schedule to Ireland—mirroring their 2013 trip to London—could backfire, referencing past complaints from players about jet lag and poor preparation.
“If the Steelers do the same thing again, flying out just days before the game, they might embarrass themselves,” Marczi wrote. “Jet lag and environmental adjustment are very real challenges.”
As the NFL pushes to build its brand worldwide, players like Skipper are increasingly speaking out—reminding the league that for every global opportunity, there’s a cost borne by the athletes.
SOURSE;
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