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The Football Diner Big Interview:
Jason La Canfora of NFL Network
interviewed by Chris Brophy
3/8/2009
 Here in the UK we have been lucky enough to have NFL Total Access shown on our screens via Sky Sports for the past couple of years. Those that watch the show regularly may have noticed an off-season change in their studio as former Washington Post correspondent Jason La Canfora joined the NFLTA team as their chief reporter – he now spends his time reporting on not just one, but all 32 NFL teams. The Diner invited him for a coffee and a chat to find out what it was like covering the Redskins, how he is finding his new TV role and how aware he is of NFL interest in the UK.
Football Diner:
Thanks for taking the time out to talk to us at the Diner Jason and congrats on the new job this season at NFL Network. How are you finding covering all 32 teams instead of just one team on the beat?
Jason La Canfora:
Thanks for having me. Glad to be here.
It’s a heck of a challenge but one I look forward to every day. The demand for NFL information is nonstop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and it’s always cool to branch out and challenge yourself and get outside your comfort zone. Every day is a unique learning experience and I am continually trying to meet more people, cultivate more relationships and develop more sources.
FD:
When covering the Redskins, you weren’t exactly atop of their Christmas card list yet despite the team’s hostility towards you, you still regularly broke high profile stories about them. How hard is it to get information about team/players when they want to keep you out of the loop?
JLC:
There were definitely challenges covering the ‘Skins but I always had very strong relationships with players, coaches, trainers, some front office people, and they respected my work ethic and willingness to question things and they trusted me as well. Also, not having to worry about being spoon-fed anything from the team is always great. It forces you to develop sources around the league and in other places, and that’s certainly serving me well in this new gig.
FD:
Now that you are covering all 32 teams have you found anymore awkward customers or does the NFL Network badge make your life a lot easier in terms of getting access to teams, players and officials?
JLC:
It’s certainly different, but thus far I’ve found that the larger exposure helps a ton, but the league treats me the same way it would any other media person trying to cover the NFL. So I’m not getting any info fed to me, which, again, is how it should be. I don’t expect any special treatment and would feel awkward if I got it.
FD:
You are now in front of the TV cameras a lot more. Are you finding the transaction easy or do you still get a bit nervous about having to break stories live on the box? Is it true you have a room in your house for you to go on Jason Cam from home?
JLC:
It’s a lot of fun. I try to just be myself and have some fun and present the best info I can and not take myself all that seriously. The content, always, I take that seriously in terms of being fair and accurate … but myself, not so much. And yeah, they installed a cam in our only spare room last week the laundry area in our basement. My daughter can’t quite figure it out. The other day she said, Daddy, I think it’s so silly that you work in the laundry room. I had to agree.
FD:
What are the rest of the NFL Network guys like? Rich Eisen comes across as a real fun loving guy and in the UK, we had the pleasure of Rod Woodson’s company on our Super Bowl coverage the year before last.
 JLC:
Everyone I have had the pleasure of coming into contact with during my trips to the studio in LA have been top notch, they are unbelievable people and true pros on set and off. Rich, Fran Charles, Jamie Dukes, Rod, Marshall Faulk, Coach Mariucci and all of the producers and camera guys. Really, it’s been overwhelming how welcoming and helpful everyone has been to me, the new guy.
FD:
How aware are you and other media people of the interest in the NFL outside of the USA, especially in the UK. What are your thoughts on the NFL playing games at Wembley (and possibly other places outside the USA)?
JLC:
I love it. I want more and hope we get more. I want to see this become more of a global game. I am a huge soccer fan and would love to the see NFL touch people around the world, too. My fingers are crossed I get to cover the game in Wembley this year. My wife and I are huge xenophiles and love to travel and experience other cultures. Would love to see a game in Berlin and Tokyo and Sao Paulo … I could go on and on.
FD:
With the internet, mobile (cell) phones and social networking sites, it seems easier for fans and reporters to have regular contact with NFL players. Are the likes of these devices and sites a help or a hindrance to the likes of you?
JLC:
You get it in terms of chasing your tail sometimes with fake twitter feeds, etc. But overall this is our world. We live in real time and people can connect in ways that didn’t seem possible even 10 years ago. I think that’s truly awesome and can’t wait to see what comes next.
FD:
Given you followed them for so long, how do you see your old beat, the Redskins, doing in 2009?
JLC:
I think they could be a 7-9 win team, at best, but I can’t see them making the playoffs in that division.
FD:
Onto the upcoming season, who do you like for success in 2009?
JLC:
I like the Patriots to win it all.
FD:
On the flip side of that, who is going to be this year’s Detroit Lions?
JLC:
Ouch. I don’t think anyone is gonna go 0-16 again for a long, long time. The Lions could win 304 games and still be fighting for that first overall pick … Yet also still be much improved.
FD:
Just one final question before we let you go is there anything you want to say to the UK football loving public?
JLC:
As for football fans in the UK, I would say thanks so much for your interest in our sport, email me at lacanforanfl@yahoo.com whenever you like, and hope we see more and more games played in your part of the world. Cheers.
FD:
Great that you could join us Jason.
You can see Jason La Canfora reporting on NFL teams regularly on NFL Total Access which is shown on Sky Sports. Jason also has regular features and a blog on NFL.com that he uses to break exclusive NFL stories.
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