For ones, it’s called soccer, while their version of football – embodied in their most popular major sports league, the NFL – is the only genuine. For the others, the aforementioned version is just a make-believe hokum, while the name football will forever represent the most loved, played, watched, and widespread sport in the world.4,424 days later – same team, same manager, same place, same rival, same outcomeThe former are, of course, the Americans, and although the latter could be represented by practically the entire world outside North America, the loudest voices of disagreement come from the so-called “cradle of football” – from England.However, one particular bargain made just a few days before the end of the previous year could build a bridge between these two sides and erase all the irreconcilable differences that separate them.Burnley co-owner and former NFL defensive end J.J. Watt said he’d come out of retirement if goalkeeper James Trafford didn’t concede for the rest of the season.Trafford has since kept four clean sheets and saved two penalties vs. Sunderland in their last game 😮😂 pic.twitter.com/mTntzH9R3x— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 18, 2025 Namely, Burnley custodian and former Man City prospect James Trafford contacted his club’s co-owner, the NFL legend and arguably the best defensive player this league has ever had, J.J. Watt, asking him to come out of retirement (as he hasn’t been active since 2022) and play another season with the Cincinnati Bengals. Watt’s response was loud and clear, “You don’t allow a goal the rest of the season and it’s a deal.”This answer apparently motivated and inspired Trafford, who has since kept four consecutive clean sheets in the Championship and stopped two penalties in a goalless draw against Sunderland last Friday!Remarkable scenes as James Trafford saves TWO late penalties! 🤯🚫The #SkyBetChampionship never fails to deliver! 😅#EFL pic.twitter.com/m3P9hp1Fpo— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) January 17, 2025 Now, given that Burnley are to play 19 more rounds until the end of the season, the keeper will hardly fulfil his part of the bargain, though Watt could at least reward him for the effort he put in. After all, even what he’s done so far could be an inspiration and a proof that nothing’s impossible and that only the sky is the limit. Who knows, perhaps he even managed to convince Watt to start cheering for him…##NAJAVA_MECA_8650441##
