The NFL is a well-known institution in the field of American sports. It has been widely considered as one of the top professional teams in the world, having won 5 Super Bowls and 17 Conference Championships. Their popularity has also extended to their international exposure over the years and they have established international players from around the world into team rosters including more than 50 international players from 22 different countries.
Introduction
The NFL International Pathway Player Program is an initiative that started in 2016 with the aim of developing top international players and helping them to enter the U.S. professional football league.
To date, the program has identified and helped develop players from countries such as Canada, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ireland, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, and the United Kingdom.
This year’s class includes players from Argentina, Bolivia, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.
Players who are selected for the NFL International Pathway Player Program undergo a rigorous process that starts with scouting visits to various colleges around the United States.
After being evaluated by NFL scouts and coaches at their college campuses, the selected players then have a chance to participate in a three-day mini-camp with NFL teams.
If they are chosen to participate in the NFL International Pathway Player Program they must also sign a contract with an NFL team that pays them a stipend and provides them with loaner gear while they continue their professional football career in America.
Background on the NFL Program:
The NFL International Pathway Player Program (NPIPP) is a division of the league that was created in November 2006 with the goal of helping young, talented international players develop their skills and get exposure to American football. The program is designed for players who have not received a college scholarship and want to continue their football careers in the United States.
There are three stages to the NPIPP: rookie mini-camp, developmental camp, and regular season roster. Mini-camp is held in August and September each year and consists of players who attended college or have played college football in the past. Developmental camp is held in November and December each year and is for players who have not played college football or have only played semi-professional football. The regular season roster consists of players who are on the team’s active roster, injured reserve, or practice squad at the beginning of the season.
The NFL International Pathway Player Program provides young international players with an opportunity to develop their skills while getting exposure to American football. The program is designed for players who have not received a college scholarship and want to continue their football careers in the United States. There are three stages to the NPIPP: rookie mini-camp, developmental camp
Purpose of the Program:
The NFL International Pathway Player Program was created in 2007 to help develop and promote American football in countries around the world. The program provides professional development opportunities for international players, as well as financial assistance for those who wish to pursue a career in the NFL.
Since its inception, the NFL International Pathway Player Program has helped develop talent in over 20 countries. Players who have participated in the program have gone on to play in the NFL, including current Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long and former Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage. The pathway player program is also known for its academic and cultural awareness programming, which aims to create long-term positive change in the lives of players and their communities.
In 2017, the NFL launched the NFL International Champions Cup (NICC), a global series of preseason games that includes teams from England, Germany, France, Italy, Mexico, and Sweden. The NICC is an opportunity for international players to showcase their skills against elite competition and help prepare them for future opportunities in the NFL.
Program Overview:
-The NFL International Pathway Player Program was created in 2007 to help develop and promote American football in countries around the world
-Since its inception, the program has helped develop
Benefits of Being an International Pathway Player
By: Joyce Ndukwe
Nigeria has been making strides in the world of professional sports, as seen by the recent emergence of several Nigerian players in the NFL International Pathway Program. The NFL International Pathway Program provides an excellent opportunity for talented Nigerian athletes to gain experience and exposure playing in the United States and Europe, thereby furthering their sporting careers.
Benefits of being an international pathway player include:
-Gaining experience playing against better competition in different leagues and countries
-Increasing skills such as strength, conditioning, agility, and agility drills
-Building relationships with football coaches and players from other countries
-Improving knowledge of American football culture
Since its inception in 2008, the NFL International Pathway Program has helped develop the careers of dozens of Nigerian players. Some of these players have gone on to play in the NFL, while others have continued their football careers in Europe or elsewhere. With hard work and determination, any athlete can achieve success in professional sports.
How to Become an International Pathway Player?
The NFL International Pathway Player Program is the perfect way for aspiring players from around the world to make their mark in the NFL. The program offers a unique opportunity for international players to join an NFL team as young players and develop their skills while playing in the U.S. The pathway program provides players with a full scholarship, housing, and access to all of the resources that a professional football organization has to offer.
There are a few things that you will need to do in order to become eligible for the NFL International Pathway Player Program. The first is to be a citizen of one of the below countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom or the USA. The second requirement is that you must have played your high school football in one of the above countries. If you meet these qualifications and would like more information on how to apply please visit nfl.com/international-pathway/.
NFL International Pathway Player Program: ‘Nigeria’s got next:
In 2016, the NFL International Pathway Player Program was launched with the goal of developing international players into professional football players. The program is designed for athletes who are not eligible to play in NCAA Division I football because they are not U.S. citizens, or they have played college football in countries other than the United States.
Since its inception, the NFL International Pathway Player Program has helped players from countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Canada develop their skills and become professionals in American football. In 2017, six Nigerian players were selected in the NFL Draft, and two of them were drafted in the first round.
The NFL International Pathway Player Program is a vital part of the league’s global growth strategy. By developing talented international players, the NFL is helping to create a more global sport and promote American football around the world.
Conclusion:
Nigeria’s Got Next: The NFL International Pathway Player Program
In a nutshell, the NFL International Pathway Player Program is an effort by the NFL to cultivate American-born players who have excelled in their home countries but may not have had an opportunity to play in the United States. This program offers these talented players a chance to play in the NFL while giving back to their communities and developing their skills on American soil. So far, Nigeria has produced two players through this program: Odell Beckham Jr. and Landon Collins. Both players are now household names in the U.S., and it’s only a matter of time before more Nigerian-Americans join them on that list.