From Basketball Court to football Field: New Zealand Athlete Aims for the NFL
Nathaniel salmon, a 6’7” professional basketball player from New Zealand, is taking a surprising turn in his athletic career. After three years playing professionally in New Zealand and Australia, Salmon is now pursuing a place in the National Football League (NFL) through the league’s International player Pathway (IPP) programme.
Trading Basketballs for Footballs
Growing up in a basketball-loving family, Salmon excelled in the sport. But American football was virtually unknown to him until recently. “American football is not big at all in New Zealand,” he admitted.With only casual exposure to Super Bowl halftime shows, Salmon picked up a football for the first time just two months ago.
His willingness to embrace a new challenge highlights the NFL’s global ambitions. The IPP, established in 2017, seeks to identify and develop athletic talent from othre sports around the world.
NFL’s Global Expansion
The NFL’s commitment to expanding beyond it’s traditional American fanbase is evident in initiatives like the IPP and its increasing number of international games. Last year, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced plans to play up to eight games abroad in 2025.
“Talent is everywhere, opportunity isn’t,” said Pat Long, the director of international football development at the league. “Wherever you are in the world, we will find you. And we will help you develop to your highest potential through this program.”
Salmon joins the latest class of the IPP, a program designed to provide international athletes with the training and support they need to succeed in the NFL.## NFL’s International Program Seeks to Develop Global Gridiron Talent
Fourteen athletes from 13 nations have begun intense training at IMG Academy in Bradenton, florida, as part of the NFL International Player Pathway program. The program, now in its seventh year, aims to develop international athletes for potential future careers in the NFL by providing them with world-class coaching and immersive football education.
This year’s class includes players from diverse sporting backgrounds, with experiences in soccer, powerlifting, and track and field.
Participants spend 10 weeks honing their football skills both on the field and in the classroom. They delve into position-specific training, strategic play-calling, film study of NFL and college games, and learn the intricacies of American football beyond just the physical elements.The program emphasizes a balance of practical experience and theoretical understanding to prepare the athletes for the demands of professional football.
The culmination of the program will be participation in the University of South Florida’s Pro Day in March, where athletes will showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts. This provides them a valuable opportunity to gain exposure and perhaps earn a spot on an NFL roster.
Olympic Gold Medalist Joins Clemson Football Program
clemson University’s football program has gained a unique addition with the arrival of Roje Stona, a discus thrower who just captured the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Stona, hailing from Jamaica, made history as the first Jamaican man to win an Olympic gold medal in the men’s discus final. Now, he’s setting his sights on a different kind of field – the gridiron.Standing at an extraordinary stature, Stona plans to leverage his Olympic-caliber strength as a defensive lineman or tight end for the Tigers.
While Stona brings a distinct background to the team, he joins a program that has proven prosperous in integrating athletes from various sporting disciplines. Several members of Clemson’s roster have backgrounds in rugby,including notable recruit Jordan Petaia,a rugby union star from Australia.
Petaia etched his name in Australian rugby history as the youngest player to represent the national team in two Rugby World Cups, achieving this feat in both 2019 and 2023.
Matthias Schrader/AP/File photo
Zimbabwean Athlete TJ Maguranyanga Makes History Joining international Paralympic Program
In a historic move,TJ Maguranyanga has become the first athlete from Zimbabwe to join the International Paralympic Program (IPP).
This achievement highlights the growing recognition of Paralympic sports and the increasing participation of athletes from diverse nations. Maguranyanga’s inclusion in the IPP represents a significant milestone for both Zimbabwe and the Paralympic movement.
Zimbabwean Athlete Paves Way for Others in NFL’s International Pathway program
TJ Maguranyanga, a native of Zimbabwe, has made history as the first athlete from his country to join the NFL’s International Pathway Program (IPP). The program aims to provide elite international athletes with the opportunity to develop their football skills and potentially earn a spot in the NFL.
Maguranyanga expressed his excitement for the opportunity, recognizing the meaning it holds for his family, friends, and his nation.
“It’s exciting… to have a Zimbabwean representing them in this program,” Maguranyanga said. “And, you know, I think it’s great for other kids growing up to just see that this isn’t just something that is a dream but it’s actually attainable. And there’s a pathway to it.
While Maguranyanga has engaged with the sport casually, he hasn’t played organized football before. His previous experience is limited to throwing a football with his brothers and during school breaks. Though, he has followed the NFL as his childhood in Harare, Zimbabwe.He noted a growing popularity of the sport in his country, observing an increased presence of NFL jerseys among young people.
“Before, you would just walk around the streets and see a lot of NBA jerseys,” Maguranyanga said. “But now you see football jerseys…You’ll see a Mahomes jersey, you’ll see a Kelce jersey. So, football is definitely growing.”
Over 40 IPP Athletes Have Joined NFL Teams Since 2017
The International Player Pathway (IPP) program, established in 2017, has proven to be a successful pipeline for international athletes transitioning to the NFL. More than 40 athletes who participated in the program have signed contracts with NFL teams since its inception, highlighting the viability of this unique pathway.
This year’s group of IPP athletes is eager to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, hoping to earn a spot on an NFL roster. The program provides these talented individuals with a structured opportunity to develop their skills and gain valuable experience, increasing their chances of making the leap to the professional level.
**How does the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program help international athletes transition to American football?**
This article discusses the NFL’s efforts to expand globally and recruit talent from othre sports.
**Key Takeaways:**
* **Nathaniel Salmon, a professional basketball player from New Zealand, is trying out for the NFL through the International Player Pathway (IPP) program.** He has only been playing football for two months, but the NFL is looking for athletic talent regardless of experience.
* **the IPP program brings international athletes to IMG Academy in Florida for 10 weeks of intensive training.** They receive coaching, learn the rules and strategies of American football, and showcase their skills at a Pro Day for NFL scouts.
* **The NFL is actively expanding its global reach with initiatives like the IPP and plans to play more international games.** This shows their commitment to finding talent worldwide.
* **Clemson University’s football program is also embracing athletes from diverse backgrounds.**
Roje Stona, a discus thrower who won gold at the 2024 Olympics, is joining Clemson as a defensive lineman or tight end. He joins other athletes from rugby and other sports who have found success on the Clemson football team.
**the article highlights the NFL’s and college football’s increasing interest in recruiting athletes from different sports and nationalities, reflecting a global shift in the landscape of American football.**
