Menelik Watson surprises girlfriend with marriage proposal during Denver Broncos game

Denver Broncos tackle Menelik Watson sprung a surprise during Saturday’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers by proposing to his girlfriend.

Watson, who is from Longsight in Manchester, approached the stands during the third quarter, dropping to one knee in front Azania Stewart, a native of Camden in London.

"I was trying to find her the whole time - between series - which is very unprofessional of me," a laughing Watson explained afterwards.

Stewart is an accomplished athlete in her right and was part of the first British women's basketball team to appear at the Olympics at London 2012.

Watson continued: "It was her first NFL game. She's about to head back overseas to start her season. She leaves tomorrow. It's something I've been thinking about for a while. I've been contemplating it.

"What a perfect time to do it: in our stadium, the first game, in front of a beautiful crowd.

"I'm not really a public person, but I just thought it would be something special that we could remember forever."

The pair planned to celebrate in Denver on Saturday night before Stewart left the US to join her basketball team overseas.

Stewart told 9 News: "I am so excited. He surprised me and I didn't know anything. I am really happy.

"I cried 'yes'. I am so happy. I want to marry him - I love him."

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The regular season of home and away matches run from September to December 2017, culminating in PlayOffs from January 6, 2018 and the Super Bowl on February 4, 2018 at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota to determine the world champion.