The International Player Pathway Program (IPPP) is a program 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.[1][2]

Background

The International Player Pathway Program was not the first initiative by the NFL to introduce foreign talent into its pool of players and neither is it, as yet, the longest running. The first such program was the NFL International Development Practice Squad Program that ran between 2004 and 2009. Following a short hiatus of seven years there was a single incarnation of NFL Undiscovered in 2016 and building immediately on the success of that trial the IPPP was instituted in 2017.[3][4][5]

NFL International Development Practice Squad Program

The NFL International Practice Squad Program was an initiative run by the NFL in which selected players from outside the United States or Canada were assigned to the practice squads of NFL teams. The program began in 2004[6] and was concluded five years later in 2009 but during that time many players from a multitude of nations[7] were given the opportunity to play in the NFL or other professional football leagues like the Arena Football League, the United Football League and the Canadian Football League.

NFL Undiscovered

Two British-born former NFL players Aden Durde (NFLUK head of football development) and two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora were concerned that there were no clear pathways into the NFL for players who had not gone to high-school and/or college in the United States, and, as a result, the NFL was potentially missing out on some exceptional players. Wanting to remedy this, in early 2016, they used their personal and professional contacts from their time in the NFL to create a training program and to set-up meetings and try-outs with NFL teams for a small number of specially selected football players. These players' potential had been scouted primarily by watching YouTube videos.[8] The initial group of players all lived, worked and played amateur football in Europe. At the time, the program was not yet officially named the International Player Pathway, but it was fully sanctioned and supported by the NFL. Additionally, the League had commissioned a mini-series documentary to be made, called NFL Undiscovered, that followed the participants of the program.

In 2017 the IPP was implemented with systems for choosing which division sponsors the program annually, as well as special regulations applying to the teams being assigned the players. The program has grown every year since its launch and, as of 2020, more than half (19 of 32) of all NFL teams have signed international players as a direct result of the program.

Eligibility

In 2017, potential applicants to NFL Undiscovered were asked to meet specific requirements and were advised to follow a particular application process.[9] Some of these criteria have either changed over time or there is some discretion applied during the selection process, as not all the athletes that have come through the program in the intervening years meet all of the following criteria.

  • 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

Roster regulations

The NFL has specific regulations for players that sign through the IPP. The teams to which each IPP player is assigned are allowed 91 players[10] on their off-season rosters, one more than those teams that are not participating in the IPP that year. At the point when these rosters need to be cut to 53 (at the end of pre-season), the participating teams must decide the status of their IPP players.[11][12][13]

First, the team can keep their IPP player on their 53-man roster. If they waive the player, he goes through the NFL's waiver system, which allows him to be claimed by another team. If he clears waivers, the team can sign the player to their practice squad. If they do, they may elect to take an exemption for the IPP player, giving them an extra spot on their practice squad. If they utilize the exemption, that player cannot be signed to the active roster of any team during the season. If the exemption is declined, the player is treated like any other practice squad player, and can be promoted to a team's active roster. If the player chooses to sign with a team other than the one to which he was assigned, that team may not claim the exemption.

Notable participants

Accurate as of the 2023 NFL season
Active
NFL players who participated in the NFL Undiscovered and International Player Pathway programs
Season Player Nationality Previous sport(s) Position Debut team Ref
2016 Anthony Dablé  FranceFootballWide receiverNew York Giants[14]
Moritz Böhringer  GermanyFootballWide receiverMinnesota Vikings[15]
2017 Alex Gray UKRugby unionTight endAtlanta Falcons[16]
Alex Jenkins UKFootballDefensive endNew Orleans Saints[17]
Eric Nzeocha Germany
 France		FootballLinebackerTampa Bay Buccaneers[18]
Efe Obada UKFootballDefensive endCarolina Panthers[19]
2018 Moritz Böhringer  GermanyFootballTight endCincinnati Bengals[20]
Christopher Ezeala  Germany
 France		FootballRunning backBaltimore Ravens[21]
Jordan Mailata  AustraliaRugby leagueOffensive tacklePhiladelphia Eagles[22]
Tigie Sankoh  UKFootballDefensive backCleveland Browns[23]
Christian Scotland-Williamson UKRugby unionTight endPittsburgh Steelers[24]
2019 Valentine Holmes  AustraliaRugby leagueRunning backNew York Jets[25]
Jakob Johnson  Germany
 France		FootballFullbackNew England Patriots[26]
Durval Queiroz Neto  BrazilFootballDefensive tackleMiami Dolphins[27]
Christian Wade  UKRugby unionRunning backBuffalo Bills[28]
2020 Isaac Alarcón  MexicoFootballOffensive tackleDallas Cowboys[29]
David Bada  Germany
 France		FootballDefensive tackleWashington Football Team[29]
Matt Leo  AustraliaAustralian rules footballDefensive endPhiladelphia Eagles[29]
Sandro Platzgummer  AustriaFootballRunning backNew York Giants[29]
2021 Aaron Donkor  Germany
 France		FootballDefensive endSeattle Seahawks[30]
Alfredo Gutiérrez  MexicoFootballOffensive tackleSan Francisco 49ers[30]
Max Pircher  ItalyHandballOffensive tackleLos Angeles Rams[30]
Sammis Reyes  ChileBasketballTight endWashington Football Team[31]
Bernhard Seikovits  AustriaFootballTight endArizona Cardinals[30]
2022 Marcel Dabo Germany
 France		FootballCornerbackIndianapolis Colts[32]
Roy Mbaeteka NigeriaFootballOffensive tackleNew York Giants[33]
Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi NigeriaFootballOffensive tackleArizona Cardinals[34]
Adedayo Odeleye UKFootballDefensive endHouston Texans[32]
Thomas Odukoya NetherlandsFootballTight endTennessee Titans[32]
Kehinde Oginni Hassan NigeriaBasketballDefensive endKansas City Chiefs[35]
Ayo Oyelola UKFootballStrong safetyJacksonville Jaguars[32]
2023 Junior Aho FranceFootballDefensive lineMinnesota Vikings[36]
C. J. Okoye NigeriaFootballDefensive lineLos Angeles Chargers[36]
Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi NigeriaFootballOffensive tackleDenver Broncos[36]
David Ebuka Agoha NigeriaFootballDefensive lineLas Vegas Raiders[36]
Chukwuebuka Godrick NigeriaFootballOffensive tackleKansas City Chiefs[36]
Roy Mbaeteka NigeriaFootballOffensive tackleChicago Bears[36]
Kenneth Odumegwu NigeriaFootballDefensive lineGreen Bay Packers[36]
Max Pircher  ItalyHandballOffensive tackleDetroit Lions[37][note 1]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The Lions were originally assigned Australian tight end Patrick Murtagh, but he left the International Player Pathway Program due to a medical concern.[37]

References

  1. ↑ "Four International Players Added to Practice Squads for 2017 Season | NFL Football Operations". operations.nfl.com.
  2. ↑ "What exactly is the NFL International Pathway Player program?". americanfootballinternational.com.
  3. ↑ "New program opens doors for four NFL hopefuls". ESPN.com. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  4. ↑ "The International Player Pathway Program: What it is, and why it will change the NFL". 26 June 2017. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  5. ↑ "International players added to four practice squads". NFL.com. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  6. ↑ Bill Williamson, International practice-squad players assigned, ESPN, June 12, 2008.
  7. ↑ NFL Expands International Practice Squad Program, The News Tribune, May 23, 2008.
  8. ↑ NFL Undiscovered (video). NFL. 2016.
  9. ↑ Malyon, Ed (February 23, 2017). "The NFL want talented young European athletes to enter the draft - here's how to be in with the chance of a lifetime". The Independent.
  10. ↑ "An updated look at the Steelers 91-man roster with jersey numbers before Preseason Week 4". Behind the Steel Curtain. August 29, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Bills' Wade and International Pathway Program: What fans need to know". newyorkupstate. August 19, 2019.
  12. ↑ Warren, Matt (August 18, 2019). "Clarifying the Buffalo Bills roster status with running back Christian Wade". Buffalo Rumblings.
  13. ↑ "What the Bills can do with RB Christian Wade". August 19, 2019.
  14. ↑ "France's Anthony Dablé Signs Contract With New York Giants". americanfootballinternational.com.
  15. ↑ "Minnesota Vikings cut ties with German receiver Moritz Böhringer". American Football International. September 2, 2017.
  16. ↑ "England sevens star Alex Gray signs for Atlanta Falcons practice squad". espn.co.uk.com.
  17. ↑ "Bath American footballer Alex Jenkins signs for NFL side New Orleans Saints for 2017 season". bathchronicle.co.uk.
  18. ↑ "Bucs Add International Player to Practice Squad for 2017 Season". buccaneers.com.
  19. ↑ "Panthers awarded international player". Panthers.com. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  20. ↑ "Moritz Boehringer added to Cincinnati Bengals roster". NFL.com.
  21. ↑ "8 international players added to NFL rosters for 2018 Season". NFL.com.
  22. ↑ "Eagles draft Australian rugby player Jordan Mailata". NFL.com.
  23. ↑ "Browns assigned DB Tigie Sankoh to offseason roster from NFL's international program". dawgsbynature.com.
  24. ↑ "Steelers sign former ruby star Christian Scotland-Williamson". 247sports.com.
  25. ↑ Charean, Williams (April 8, 2019). "Jets sign Valentine Holmes". NBCSports.com.
  26. ↑ Wells, Adam (24 September 2019). "Jakob Johnson makes NFL debut with Patriots". USAToday.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Miami Dolphins re-sign Brazilian Durval Queiroz Neto". americanfootballinternational.com.
  28. ↑ "NFL International player Christian Wade allocated to the Bills". buffalobills.com. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019.
  29. 1 2 3 4 "NFC East teams assigned international players for 2020". NFL.com. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  30. 1 2 3 4 "Four players added to 2021 NFL rosters through Intentional Player Pathway program". NFL.com.
  31. ↑ "Roundup: Washington signs Sammis Reyes from International Player Pathway Program". NFL.com.
  32. 1 2 3 4 "Four players added to AFC South rosters for 2022 season through NFL International Player Pathway program". NFL.com. May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  33. ↑ Eisen, Michael (April 13, 2022). "Mentored by Osi Umenyiora, Nigerian OT Roy Mbaeteka signs with Giants". Giants.com. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  34. ↑ Urban, Darren (April 19, 2022). "Cardinals Sign Nigerian Offensive Lineman Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi". AZCArdinals.com. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  35. ↑ MacKenzie, Daniel (May 9, 2022). "Kansas City Chiefs sign NFL IPP's Kehinde Oginni Hassan". americanfootballinternational.com.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "International Player Pathway program adds eight players to NFL rosters for 2023 season". NFL.com. May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  37. 1 2 Birkett, Dave (May 22, 2023). "Detroit Lions add OT Max Pircher through NFL's International Pathways Program". Freep.com. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
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