Brady: Patriots 'Ambassadors For The NFL' In London
BOSTON (CBS) - The New England Patriots landed in merry old England early Friday morning, and are ready to spread the NFL and its brand around London.
The team landed in London around 9 a.m. local time, 4 a.m. back home. Despite flying on a red-eye late Thursday evening, quarterback Tom Brady was his normal self when addressing the media at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London in the wee hours of the morning.
"It was relatively easy," Brady said of the flight overseas. "It was mostly sleep. We have some work to do today, so I think a lot of the guys took advantage of the rest. It was a decent flight, and I think everyone feels pretty good."
"We practiced yesterday. I think everyone was a bit tired after practice, so it was nice to get on the flight and get over here; get ready to win a football game," he added
When the Patriots take on the Rams Sunday at Wembley Stadium, they'll be showcasing themselves and the NFL brand, one Brady hopes to build more throughout the country.
Read: Patriots-Rams Preview
"I hope it continues to grow. That's why we're here, to be ambassadors for the NFL," said Brady. "I think players understand that and are excited about that. But at the same time, our main goal is to win a football game. This will certainly be a longer flight home if we don't take care of business."
"Everybody has their cultures and their traditions. Football is a bit unique for America," added Brady. "There is a lot that goes in with the rules, equipment, the amount of players and referees. Growing up we played two-hand touch, which I'm sure all the American kids do. I know this part of the country is dominated by soccer -- futbol."
This is Brady 's second trip across the pond, as he and the Patriots beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley back in 2009. But only 14 players on this current Patriots roster were part of that game, so it will take a little time for the others to get used to being overseas and get ready for Sunday's tilt.
Watch: Any Patriots Fans In London?
"These next few days are to prepare and not get distracted by all the different things you can go out and do. It's not like this is a vacation," said Brady. "If this was a typical road trip for us, we'd land on a Saturday and get prepared that night and go play the next day. We have a few extra days, so hopefully we use that well to prepare."
But despite the "business trip" mentality the Patriots have, they will still have some time to show their stuff to their overseas fans at a Fanfest scheduled for Saturday. That's something just a little bit different for the universally hated Patriots whenever they go anywhere on the road.
"It definitely has a different feeling," he said of the road trip. "I think all the players kind of coming together from the long flight and to be here for a few days will be a lot of fun for us. Hopefully the fans get to really enjoy the game."
Tale of the Tape: Patriots-Rams
Tune in to the Patriots-Rams game Sunday afternoon at 1pm on WBZ-TV and 98.5 The Sports Hub. Pregame coverage beings at 11am on the Hub with Patriots Preview, with three hours of post game coverage following the game. WBZ-TV kicks off their coverage at 11:30am with a special edition of Patriots All Access, and full post game coverage with Patriots 5th Quarter.
