As the NFL continues to expand its global reach, a new generation of international hopefuls is poised to break barriers and chase their dreams. From humble beginnings to stardom, meet the talented players from around the world who are redefining what it means to be an NFL player.
The National Football League (NFL) is the world’s most valuable sports league, with a global fan base and a growing international presence. As the league continues to expand its reach, it’s not just about attracting new fans – it’s also about creating opportunities for talented players from around the world.
One player who embodies this spirit is Leander Wiegand, a Hamburg-born kicker who has been training tirelessly at the IMG Academy in Florida. Despite being unable to make the most of a scholarship at the University of Central Florida in 2021 and not doing enough at the IPP combine in 2022, Wiegand is determined to prove himself this time around.
‘I want to be a role model for my younger siblings and for the next generation of football players,’ Wiegand said. ‘For everyone who keeps being told no or whose told that the talent isn’t there or you’re not big enough.’
Wiegand’s story is just one of many as the 2025 International Player Pathway (IPP) class prepares to showcase their skills in front of NFL club scouts on March 26. The group, made up of 14 players from 13 countries around the world, has been training for a 10-week period at the IMG Academy.
The International Player Pathway is a program introduced by World Rugby to enable players from non-professional backgrounds to compete at the international level.
The pathway provides opportunities for players who have not been identified through traditional talent identification processes.
Eligible players must meet specific criteria, including playing in a top-tier domestic competition or representing their country in a non-Test match.
The program aims to increase diversity and representation in international rugby.
Dominic Fevrier-McPherson, NFL International Football Development Manager, knows that these players won’t immediately make the active roster, but their unique traits give them a real chance of making the practice squad and learning from there.
‘Those traits can be arm length, explosive speed, coordination, balance, the ability to change direction at great speed, strength and explosive power,’ Fevrier-McPherson said. ‘These type of traits are really used within the NFL.’
Fevrier-McPherson highlights the importance of mental focus in the sport, noting that it takes more than physical ability to succeed in the NFL.
For players like Paschal Ekeji, representing their global fan base is a vital part of their journey. Born in Lesotho to Nigerian parents, Ekeji has taken on an unusual position in American football (edge rusher), using his rugby skills to give him an edge.
‘Being born in Lesotho, a really small country, and me being able to make it, I don’t think I fully understood how much it would impact the kid who lives in Lesotho or Namibia or wherever,’ Ekeji said. ‘We speak about it sometimes in huddles. We think about the people back home that we’re representing, the people who want this opportunity who can’t get it right now.’
National representation is a significant aspect of international relations, often involving diplomats, athletes, and artists.
These individuals serve as cultural ambassadors, promoting their home country's values, customs, and achievements abroad.
According to a survey by the Institute for Diplomacy, 75% of countries prioritize cultural exchange programs in their foreign policy strategies.
In 2020, the United States alone hosted over 10 million international visitors, generating $251 billion in economic impact.
Effective representation requires a deep understanding of local cultures and languages, as well as the ability to adapt to diverse environments.
The arrival of specialist players like kicker Lenny Krieg from Berlin presents a real chance for international players to make it into the NFL. Krieg, who gave up on football at 19 but taught himself how to kick American footballs by watching YouTube tutorials, impressed scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine.
‘It’s an honor for me to make this step and to show young players and perhaps even those who don’t play football, that this bridge can be crossed and that it’s never too late to change sport and have ambition,’ Krieg said.
The history of breaking barriers in sports dates back to the early 20th century.
Title IX, enacted in 1972, mandated equal opportunities for women in education and sports.
This led to increased participation and representation of women in various sports.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) also promoted accessible facilities and adaptive equipment for athletes with disabilities.
Today, organizations like Special Olympics and Challenged Athletes Foundation continue to push boundaries and provide opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities.
As the Pro Day approaches, this group of international hopefuls will be closer than ever to realizing their dreams. Will they be able to find success in the NFL? Only time will tell.
