Why John Denver was the MVP of NFL's Germany game

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, and New England Patriots fans watch in the fourth quarter during an NFL International Series game at Allianz Arena. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Why John Denver was the real MVP of the NFL's Germany game

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Nov 14, 2022 1:33 PM ET

Move over, David Hasselhoff. There's a new American that Germans have an irrational love of and it's... John Denver.

Tom Brady was supposed to be the star of the NFL's first game in Germany, but the best moment of the Seahawks-Bucs game came once the crowd began an impromptu rendition of Denver's hit "Take Me Home, Country Roads."

69,811 partying Germans and Americans singing John Denver’s “Country Road” a capella at Seahawks-Buccaneers in Munich ⁦@thenewstribune⁩ pic.twitter.com/ypwtXVJ8mc
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) November 13, 2022

Country Roads in Munich

The scenes pic.twitter.com/SrmoBO17yO
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 13, 2022

And suddenly the entire stadium begins singing John Denver’s ‘Take Me Home Country Road’.

Cell phone lights all lit up.
Have to say, didn’t see that coming… pic.twitter.com/5VIPMA2ZDe
— jwhittenbergK5 (@jwhittenbergK5) November 13, 2022

Fans belted every word and it raised plenty of questions. Do Germans know the words to all of Denver's music? Why was "Country Roads" chosen? Are there country roads in Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Munich that we don't know about?

Just watch the entire stadium at Allianz Arena singing to John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” (very popular with the Oktoberfest crowd, I have learned) in the final two minutes pic.twitter.com/PwMUG2Z08n
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) November 13, 2022

ESPN's Jenna Laine answered some of those questions when she found out the song is a hit amongst those who celebrate the beer festival Oktoberfest. That the NFL-Oktoberfest crowds overlap is perhaps the least surprising development of the year.

The German audience showed they are more than ready to support the NFL with incredible enthusiasm. There is some cause for concern despite the outpouring of support. As much as Germany seemingly loves Denver, that will change once they see the Broncos in person.

Denver died in 1997 in a light aircraft accident.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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