As the NFL for the first time decided to take its action out of the country, the inaugural International Series regular-season game was played in London, at historic (for a different kind of football) Wembley Stadium.
The idea was to grow the brand, and the Giants and Dolphins were chosen to showcase this foreign product to a new audience.
Who could have possibly known back on Oct. 28, 2007, that an impressionable 13-year-old Londoner would see that game, his first glimpse of the NFL, and be mesmerized not only by the sport itself but by the team in blue and white.
“That helmet and that uniform just sticks out to me,’’ Jermaine Eluemunor said recently. “It’s known across the world. For me coming here to this franchise was always a dream.’’
There were so many players last week agreeing to terms and signing new contracts, moving from one city to another, excited to be getting paid by a new team that was happy to have them aboard.
Then there was Eluemunor. The glee oozing from this new Giants offensive lineman was so immediate and heartfelt that his exuberance nearly burst off the screen with his many joyous social media posts.
Seventeen years after looking on in wonder as the Giants in the rain at Wembley defeated the winless Dolphins, 13-10, Eluemunor is now a 29-year-old NFL veteran of seven seasons, having played for the Ravens, Patriots and Raiders.
The Giants in the first week of free agency signed him to a two-year contract worth $14 million, with $6.75 million in guaranteed money, and it might have been a kingdom’s worth of gold, considering how merrily Eluemunor welcomed this new chapter.
Yes, he did thank “Raider Nation’’ for his three years with that organization.
Then he went to work expressing his feelings about coming to the Giants. “Grateful is an understatement’’ was one of the sentiments he shared on X, formerly Twitter.
He wrote he was “damn excited to put that beautiful blue helmet on.’’ He revealed he will wear jersey No. 72 after asking and receiving the blessing of former defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who wore that number with the Giants for nine years (and two Super Bowl triumphs).
Eluemunor, like Umenyiora, was born in London and is of Nigerian heritage.
“I made a promise to him that I will make sure I play to an extremely high level for him and match his energy on the field,’’ Eluemunor said.
Summing up why he is over the moon, Elumunor posted: “It’s the freakin’ New York Giants.’’
It is a bit of an unusual situation as to what role the freakin’ Giants envision for Eluemunor.
He started all 34 games the past two seasons at right tackle for the Raiders, but that spot is currently occupied by Evan Neal, who is coming off ankle surgery.
The determination was made after Neal’s struggles in 2023 that this year’s roster would include a player capable of taking over should Neal falter again — no more special consideration because he was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Ideally, the Giants want to see Neal finally live up to his potential and become a reliable starter. Eluemunor is on the scene to challenge him and, if necessary, supplant him.
At 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds, Eluemunor has also started games at guard in the NFL, and that could also be a landing spot for him.
The Giants signed Jon Runyan Jr. as a starting guard — he said he prefers the left side — and left tackle (Andrew Thomas) and center (John Michael Schmitz) are settled. Eluemunor could end up starting at right tackle or at a guard spot or serve as a backup ready to step in.
“That’s one thing that has helped me get to this position right now, is my versatility,’’ Eluemunor said. “We have a really good left tackle. Evan Neal is a really good player, in my opinion. I think he has a lot of potential. I’m really excited to play with Runyan and JMS. I’ll play where I’m needed.’’
Eluemunor does not expect anything to be handed to him because nothing ever has been. He left London at 14, moving with his father to the Denville, N.J., area and took up football and wrestling, after a childhood spent playing rugby and cricket. Not sought after as a recruit, he went to Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pa., made his mark and then played at Texas A&M. The Ravens made him a fifth-round pick in 2017.
Eluemunor now reunites with Carmen Bricillo, the newly hired Giants offensive line coach. The two were together with the Patriots and Raiders and that familiarity is sure to help.
“You can watch me on film and see how I do under pressure,’’ Eluemunor said. “I’ve been under pressure a lot in my career, especially coming from where I came from to going from there to where I am right now, to be at this point in my career where I feel like I’m finally hitting my stride.’’