Osi Umenyiora selected to NFL's first-ever International Ring of Honour
The National Football League has announced its first-ever NFL London Games Ring of Honour ceremony, taking place during halftime festivities of the New York Jets-Minnesota Vikings game on Oct. 6 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
To celebrate the 17-year history of the NFL playing in the U.K., the league will honour two NFL Legends that have had an impact on the game: London-born, two-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora and five-time Pro Bowler Jared Allen.
The NFL London Games Ring of Honour ceremony recognizes 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 halftime ceremony, honourees will make brief remarks on-field and banners paying homage to their careers will be revealed. Banners will be displayed at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium throughout the 2024 NFL London Games, and will return in the NFL seasons ahead.
"I played in the first NFL regular-season game in London in 2007, so to be honoured this season is extremely humbling," said Umenyiora. "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."
"London is very close to my heart, with a loyal Vikings fanbase and a place I will always remember playing," said Allen. "Being recognized 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," said NFL U.K. & Ireland General Manager Henry Hodgson. "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 NFL London Games recognizing and celebrating their contributions."
Originally born in London, Umenyiora was drafted in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played for 12 seasons, primarily with the New York Giants — playing in three international games in London (2007, 2014) and Toronto (2013). Following his NFL career, Umenyiora transitioned to help grow the game on a large scale, helping to create the International Player Pathway (IPP) program and leading the league's international expansion efforts across Africa. Umenyiora also continues to give back to the international community via his talent identification program 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.
Allen was drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft and 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. With the Vikings' marketing rights in the U.K., via the NFL's Global Markets Program, Allen has become a leading figure, promoting international fandom across the market.
