The International Player Pathway Program (IPPP) is a scheme run by the National Football League (NFL) to increase the number of non-American and Canadian players in the NFL. The program was formed as part of the NFL’s strategy to grow globally as it provides athletes with the opportunity to play in the league, which will increase the pool of talent and ultimately drive fan growth globally.
The NFL announced through a press release that Héctor Zepeda was one of the players selected to be part of the 2023 IPP.
What is this program about?
The players will begin training in the United States in January for ten weeks and will have the opportunity to showcase their skills to NFL club scouts throughout March.
The goal is for athletes to be selected for assignment to an NFL practice squad or sign as free agents for the upcoming season through the IPP program after the 2023 NFL Draft.
Selected at random, at least one of the NFL’s eight divisions will receive international players chosen for the 2023 program in the event they have not signed free-agent contracts.
Upon completion of training camp, each player will be eligible for a practice squad waiver as an international player with their assigned team.
This grants the assigned team an additional member of the practice squad. Under specific parameters, players may also be added to the active player roster during the regular season.
Eligibility
Some of the criteria players must meet to qualify for the IPP are as follows, although they are not exclusive.
age 24 or younger
out of high school (or equivalent) for at least four years
did not play American football at a US college
ability to speak English
not a citizen of the US or Canada
must be available and eligible to travel to the US for two months from the first week in March
A more global NFL
The NFL seeks to expand its brand globally and become a recognized sport in all corners of the planet.
The 2023 IPP will feature Nigerians Basil Chijioke Okoye, Chukwuebuka Jason Godrick, Kenneth Odumegwu, David Ebuka Agoha, Kehinde Hassan Oginni, and Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi; Australians Talitiga Lachlan Amosa and Patrick Murtagh; New Zealand Etuale Junior Vinny Lui and German Marion Werthmann.
“The International Player Pathway program is an important part of our continued focus on growing the game globally and creating a pathway for international athletes to play in the NFL,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President, Club Business, Major Events & International, NFL.
“We are delighted to see the impact this program is having on football development outside of the USA and are excited to see these talented athletes from across the world competing for a future spot on an NFL roster.”
More excitement for international NFL bettors
The National Football League (NFL) has always been an excellent stage for players from different countries to show their skills and compete.
However, the incorporation of more international players in recent years has had an unexpected consequence: it has made NFL more accessible to international bettors.
With the influx of multiple nationalities on the field, people from all around the world will now be able to identify themselves with their favorite teams and feel closer to their game of choice.
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