Insights from Vikings Media Day in the UK

1. O'Connell on evolving the game

O'Connell is a big fan of the NFL, which is trying to cultivate its fan base on an international level.

He appreciates the nuances of competition and the teamwork the sport requires.

“I grew up loving this game. Everything about it,” O’Connell said. “It really defined who I am as a person to be in such a unique, dynamic team sport where you can't accomplish anything without the other 10 guys on the team doing their job, without the other phases of the team having complementary football playing, that really exists.” Nothing compares to that, as far as it’s just a game that requires so much physical effort and sacrifice, but still the mental aspect of every single move, every single game situation.

There is no option to copy and paste results. A million little things determine the winners every week, O'Connell said. It explains why the games are always close – and why a team can win on any match day.

“Our rules are set up so that every single training camp, every fan base should really feel like, 'We have a chance to do something special this year.' And the best part is that we're releasing it 17 times and seeing what happens from there, so hopefully we continue to get more and more opportunities worldwide,” O'Connell shared, praising the interest from international fans. “I know how special this part of the world is and the London Games were a phenomenal, phenomenal thing for our league.”