China

Background

In the early 1990s, there was a growing interest in American football in China. The sport had been introduced to the country in the 1980s, and there were a few small leagues and teams starting to form. However, there had never been an organized American football game played in China.

In 1991, Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) decided to take advantage of this growing interest in American football by taking their football team to China for a three-game tour. PLU was a small university located in Tacoma, Washington, and their football team was a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The team was known for its strong running game and its physical defense.

The Tour

The PLU Lutes arrived in China in June 1991 and played their first game against Evangel College, a small Christian college from Springfield, Missouri. The game was held in Beijing at the Worker's Stadium, which was the largest stadium in China at the time. The Lutes won the game handily, 20-7.

The next game was played in Guangzhou, the third largest city in China, against a team of Chinese players. The Lutes won this game by a score of 35-21.

The final game of the tour was played in Shanghai, the largest city in China, against a team of Chinese players. The Lutes won this game even more easily, 47-7.

Impact

The PLU Lutes' tour of China was a huge success. The games were attended by thousands of Chinese fans, and the coverage in the Chinese media was extensive. The tour helped to raise awareness of American football in China and is credited with helping to spark the growth of the sport in the country.

In addition to the on-field success, the PLU Lutes' tour also had a significant cultural impact. The players were ambassadors of American culture, and they were able to share their love of football with the Chinese people. The tour also helped to build bridges between the United States and China.

Legacy

The PLU Lutes' tour of China in 1991 was a historic event. It was the first time that American football had been played in China, and it helped to introduce the sport to a new generation of Chinese fans. The tour also had a significant cultural impact, and it helped to build bridges between the United States and China.

Additional Details

• The tour was organized by the China International Sports Travel Company.

• The tour was sponsored by a number of companies, including United Airlines, Reebok, and Pepsi.

• The PLU Lutes were accompanied by a group of university officials and media representatives.

• The PLU Lutes' tour was the subject of a documentary film, "Gridiron Diplomacy."