PARIS – As the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for their high-profile clash in Paris this Sunday, the impact of the game is being felt far beyond the gridiron. For Hugo Tekedam, a star wide receiver for the Paris Musketeers, the event represents a watershed moment for American football in a nation where soccer remains the undisputed king.
“It’s a great opportunity. You’ve got to get the people interested,” said the 24-year-old Tekedam. While he acknowledges his own NFL dreams may have faded, he believes the spectacle of an official NFL game in the French capital will act as a powerful catalyst for the next generation.
Despite the growing curiosity, American football remains a niche interest in France. The French federation oversees hundreds of clubs, but that figure is dwarfed by the approximately 12,000 amateur soccer clubs operating across the country. However, proponents believe the tide is turning, helped in part by the professionalization of local efforts like the Paris Musketeers.
As the first fully professional American football team in France, the Musketeers have spent the last four years building a foundation. John Booker, the team’s general manager and a former San Jose State offensive lineman, believes that once fans are exposed to the sport, they are easily hooked.
“The number one thing that’s going to come out of this is awareness of the sport,” Booker said. He emphasized that the key to long-term success lies in introducing the game to youth earlier, particularly through flag football—an initiative the NFL has aggressively promoted on the international stage.
The struggle for homegrown players remains the lack of early development. “Athletically, they just start the sport too late,” Booker noted, adding that if players like Tekedam had grown up in the American system, they would likely be competing at the collegiate level. For his part, Tekedam actually spent time at a prep school in Florida, but limited scholarship offers forced him back to Paris.
Despite these hurdles, the pathway to the U.S. is slowly opening. Paris-born safety Maceo Beard-Aigret is currently on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad, and offensive lineman Ismaël Camara recently committed to playing for Texas.
For the French players, the game is fueled by a unique brand of enthusiasm. “The French players love the sport differently than the Americans do,” Booker said. “It’s like they’ve won the lottery. When they get a really good coach and they’re able to learn more, they’re so excited.”
As the Musketeers continue to forge partnerships—including a youth development link with the Saints—Tekedam is shifting his focus toward coaching. “A lot of kids have potential and talent,” he said. “I’m trying to work on that, to see where I can help them.”
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