Odell Beckham ready to show why he's such a big star in Europe

LONDON – The most popular footballer in London right now is a lad by the name of Beckham.

His mug is all over social media and TV advertisements. Local schoolchildren jump for joy at the chance to meet him. His jersey is flying off of shelves. He’s been involved in his fair share of celebrity drama.

No, not that Beckham and not that football either.

This Beckham, the New York Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. is across the pond for a Sunday contest against the Los Angeles Rams at Twickenham Stadium. And, though his recent elaborate post-touchdown celebrations have drawn the ire of his coach, his quarterback and the league, Beckham, to quote another budding global superstar, is just having fun with it.

“You have to live life,” Beckham said at a Friday news conference. “You have to enjoy it and have fun. No matter what I do it’s going to bring extra attention, good and bad. If I dye my hair, if I wear some funky shoes, there’s going to be extra attention.”

Rocking a gold chain around his neck, bright red sneakers on his feet, curly blonde locks on his head and a retro-style Starter jacket complete with a union jack patch, Beckham looked every bit the part of the NFL’s new international sensation trying to soak it all in.

“It’s going to be like a dream come true,” Beckham said of playing in front of the UK crowd. “Hopefully I can get out there and just have fun and just embrace it and enjoy the moment. You don’t get too many like that.”

Still, Beckham wasn’t above taking a not so thinly veiled message to coach Ben McAdoo, who called his antics a “distraction” earlier this season.

“Everybody in the locker room knows how it is with me,” Beckham said. “They know how I feel about them. They know what I’m willing do to for them each and every day.”

It’s strange because the same league that fined Beckham for the fourth time this season, this time to the tune of $24,309 for removing his helmet during a touchdown celebration needs the 23-year-old’s swagger and spectacle. Beckham has made several trips overseas to promote the game (showing he too, can bend it) and has the second highest-selling jersey in the NFL Europe shop, sandwiched between Aaron Rogers and Tom Brady.

“Odell is a superstar,” said Sarah Swanson, head of marketing for NFL UK. “He’s really dynamic and he’s really stylish and entertaining. He’s exactly what you want to help us position to grow globally.”

And, despite the league’s own best efforts, that’s what Beckham is on pace to do.

“It’s having fun,” Beckham said Friday. “That’s all it is. Just having fun.”

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