Amsterdam Wins American Football Championship in Annual Dutch Tulip Bowl

July 12, 2009

The champions celebrate. Photo: American Football Bond Nederland

On what turned out to be a sunny Sunday and a day that felt like a breezy autumn afternoon, the Amsterdam Crusaders trounced the Leiden Lightning 33-7 under the watchful eye of a lazily spinning 18th century Dutch windmill.

More than 2,500 mostly bewildered Dutch fans watched and learned the nuance of this great American game, while current Buffalo Bills’ back-up quarterback, Gibran Hamdan, announced the game from the sidelines. 

Consul General Julie Ruterbories also got into the action, presenting the runners-up and champions with their respective trophies. 

Although the Dutch American Football Federation suffered a severe set-back when NFL Europe folded some years back, the ten first-division teams continue to draw respectable crowds at games and together with the second and third divisions, run numerous youth clinics throughout the country. 

Under the banner of the Henry Hudson anniversary celebration, this game provided Dutch fans a glimpse into a fine American tradition.