The NFL’s first ever game in Australia kicked off on Thursday, though the pre-game festivities included a rather confusing ceremony for American viewers.
Australia’s “Welcome to Country” was delivered by Aborigine elder Joy Murphy Waldin, a Senior Wurundjeri Elder of the Kulin Nation, who honored “60,000 years of our culture.”
She welcomed all of the American visitors, to, “pay our respects to your culture and heritage and those watching at home,” before thanking the NFL, the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.
The ceremony was met with applause from the fans seated at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), though many on social media were quick to bash it.
One of the most prominent responses came from political commentator Clay Travis, who shared a video of the brief ceremony.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!
California Post App: Download here!
Home delivery: Sign up here!
Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!
“Australia’s first ever NFL game began with a land acknowledgment. This is insane. Australia also has a national sorry day where the country apologizes to the aborigines every year. If you think the US can’t get crazier, it can,” Travis began.
He added in a separate tweet, “Roughly 45% of Australians know this is all bats–t insane and agree with all of you commenting how absurd and ridiculous this is, but they have lost the culture battles in their country. And it’s hard to win ground back once you give it up. Fight for sanity!”
“By the way, loved my visit to the country. Great place filled with many amazing people. But no one should ever apologize for western civilization making the world better for everyone. Western civilization is the reason most of us are alive today,” he concluded.
Fox News’ Laura Ingraham tweeted an image of Waldin from the ceremony, adding, “Of course, the NFL travelled to Australia and HAD to do a land acknowledgement.”
Myles Allen added, “Never thought the NFL would have a land acknowledgment before a game lol. That’s how we know we in Australia.
The Purple Mafia joked, “No way we got our first NFL land acknowledgment in Australia I know Aaron Rodgers is pissed rn,” referring to the outspoken Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback.
John Cassio added, “Land Acknowledgment before the NFL game in Australia! Ridiculous.”
The San Francisco 49ers – who arrived in Australia a week before the game – ultimately prevailed over the Los Angeles Rams – who arrived the night before – winning handily by a score of 27-7.
