American football Italian style comes to Toledo, Ohio, on Fourth of July weekend when the 42nd Italian Bowl kicks off — the first time the Italian football championship will be held outside Europe.   

American football kicked off in 1980 when the Italian Federation of American Football was charged with promoting the game in Italy. Since then, about 100 flag and tackle teams comprising male and female athletes play American football throughout the country.  

Key to bringing the game to Toledo’s Glass Bowl is Michigan-born developer and former Italian Football League quarterback and DB Nick Eyde, who played six years in the IFL for the Rome Ducks, Reggio Emilia Hogs and Bolzano Giants in the 2000s. In 2006, his “Ave Maria” pass with 35 seconds left against the Bergamo Lions lifted Bolzano to a 20-14 upset — a scene that inspired a key part of John Grisham’s novel “Playing for Pizza.”  

The 42nd Italian Bowl will be accompanied by an Italian-themed restaurant week, a punt-pass-kick competition among regional mayors and a July 4th fireworks show. Calvin “Megatron” Johnson will lead Italian players through a tour of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. Up-and-coming opera singer Mariam Battistelli will perform the Italian and U.S. national anthems.  

Register for tickets and stay up to date at italianbowlusa.com  

Italian Federation of American Football: https://www.fidaf.org

Italian football leagues fielding NFL-caliber players: https://orderisda.org/culture/sports/american-football-leagues-in-italy-producing-nfl-caliber-players

Feature on 2023 draft prospect Habakkuk Baldonado:
https://americadomani.com/sports/college-football-star-habakkuk-baldonado-who-was-born-and-raised-in-italy-is-ready-for-the-nfl

Italian TV interview featuring Nick Eyde:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9eczeJVTDQ