By Blessing 
Dan Skipper Slams NFL’s Push for International Games: “That’s a Joke”
Detroit Lions players are no strangers to sacrificing comfort for the NFL’s packed schedule. Every year, they kick off Thanksgiving Day football — giving up time with family and traditions for the league. But for veteran offensive lineman Dan Skipper, the demands have started to cross a line.
Skipper recently voiced his frustration over the NFL’s aggressive international expansion, saying it puts an unfair burden on players and staff. During an appearance on The Coaches Pod, he didn’t hold back, calling the league’s approach to global games a “joke.”
“That’s a joke,” Skipper said bluntly. “Oh, we want to go play in ‘name-X country,’ throw dart at the map. Like, what?”
According to Skipper, the league seems to be overlooking how intense and disruptive these overseas trips can be for the athletes. He emphasized that it’s not just about hopping on a plane—it’s about uprooting an entire operation and pushing bodies to the limit under less-than-ideal conditions.
“They (the NFL) understand the logistics of this, right?” he continued. “We have a travel party of 200-ish people. Fifty of those are going to be putting their body through the most physically demanding thing you can do, but we are going to stuff you on a plane for 18 hours, screw up your body clock, take you to a country where the food is all (expletive) up, have you play now, fly you back, lose your bye week from the logistics of it.”
Skipper’s frustration highlights a growing tension between the NFL’s business ambitions and the well-being of its players. While the league continues to push for a bigger global footprint, players like Skipper are raising serious concerns about the physical toll of such plans.
The Lions Have History With International Controversy
Skipper’s team has reason to be wary of the NFL’s global plans. Back in 2011, league owners agreed that teams playing in the U.K. wouldn’t be required to visit again for at least five years. But somehow, the Lions were scheduled to play in London in both 2014 and 2015 — a back-to-back overseas stretch that didn’t sit well with many fans and players. Since then, the Lions haven’t appeared in any international games.
Now, the league is ramping things up even further. For the 2024 season, the NFL has announced a robust international lineup, starting with the Los Angeles Chargers facing the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil. Other games will take place across Europe in cities like Dublin, London, Berlin, and Madrid.
NFL executive Peter O’Reilly, who oversees the league’s international expansion efforts, explained the reasoning behind the bold moves.
“This growth reflects our collective commitment to global growth as we continue our journey to becoming a truly global sport,” he told NFL.com.
Skipper Isn’t the Only One Pushing Back
While Skipper may be the loudest voice at the moment, he’s far from alone in criticizing the league’s approach. Others have pointed out logistical issues and questionable planning that affect performance.
Matthew Marczi, a reporter for Steelers Depot, recently took issue with Pittsburgh’s decision to fly to Ireland just two days before their scheduled game.
“Back in 2013, the Vikings flew to London on Monday in preparation for their game against the Steelers,” Marczi recalled. “Pittsburgh flew out on Thursday and plans to do the same thing again for the Ireland game.”
He warned the outcome could be embarrassing.
“If the Steelers do, they may embarrass themselves on the Rooney’s ancestral ground. Jet lag is a real thing, as is acclimating yourself to your environment.”
As the NFL chases its international ambitions, it’s clear that not everyone is on board — and voices like Skipper’s are demanding the league listen.