As Hamburg, Germany-native Kasim Edebali watched Bjoern Werner walk out on the Radio City Music Hall stage as the Indianapolis Colts’ first-round draft pick last month, elated emotions inevitably had him wondering if the moment was a bit of foreshadowing.
“Man, I want to be that guy,” the Boston College senior-to-be defensive end recalled thinking. “I want to be the guy they are clapping for.”
A record 10 foreign-born players, including three in the first round, from nine different countries were drafted this year. That’s up from five the year before and three in 2011. Edebali isn’t projected as a first-round pick like Werner — the fifth-year senior is rated down the list in early mock drafts — but another crop of players from outside the U.S. is developing in colleges.
Chris Parsons, vice president of NFL International, calls it “a pipeline” that could be “equally exciting.” He expects it to continue and inspire others outside the borders to try football.
“I don’t think anybody is looking at this as a U.S.-only club and nobody else wants to come in,” Parsons said. “I think it’s exactly the opposite. We welcome great athletes from anywhere in the world. It will make us stronger and better as a consequence.”
The NFL dominates U.S. sports, leaving international markets as a primary growth area for the league. Unlike soccer, basketball and baseball, however, football has little tradition outside of North America. NFL International and Indianapolis-based USA Football are working to provide more opportunities to play the sport overseas.
“If I had the opportunity at the time, I would have given anything to have translated my rugby skills to be an American football player,” said Parsons, 40, who grew up in England. “I was a huge fan growing up. It was hard to be able to find places to play.”
Werner and Edebali played their first tackle games at 15, their interest spawned from a love of the game. Werner’s primary exposure was through outlets such as video games and online telecasts. New England’s second-round selection of German offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer in 2009 reinforced that the pipeline didn’t have to be a pipe dream.
Werner, who played with Edebali on the 2006 German National Team and invited him to New York for the draft, is the first graduate of USA Football’s International Student Program to reach the NFL. USA Football spokesman Steve Alic says football federations have grown to 64 countries spanning six continents. In 2007, it was 40 countries and five continents.
“What Bjoern has done has been exceptional,” Alic said. “He deserves the credit. We’re proud to be a part of his exciting journey.”
Parsons said Germany’s passion for football can be traced to NFL Europe (1991-2007). Nowhere else in Europe was the game more popular than Germany, he said. But TV distribution issues have kept the NFL from placing games in the country.
The sport, however, is growing everywhere.
When the NFL started playing annual regular-season games in London in 2007, TV ratings ranked just inside the top 20. For the first time, two games are scheduled next season. They sold out in two weeks — which Parsons calls “unprecedented” — and the NFL now ranks seventh in TV viewers in England.
Werner can’t believe he’s in position to impact others. Before playing his first game, he’s already influenced people back home.
“Anytime I have the chance to talk to younger kids, I’m going to …just try to share something, give them some hope they can do it like I did it,” he said. “There’s so many football players in Germany right now that are so excited that I’m a Colt. You don’t understand how many Colts fans are over there now.
“Most of the football players there, I played with them. The coaches, they coached me and I just left in good standing with them. I just want to go back right now and just meet the whole football Germany and show them pictures and just spread this experience right here.”
It’s a thrill sure to be shared in the future.
West Virginia senior-to-be offensive tackle Curtis Feigt came from Schonefeld, Germany, and has embraced America. He met his wife in the United States and is confident he has the ability to reach the NFL.
“It’s more or less about exposure to football here,” Feigt said of the transition. “With Bjoern and others making it, it shows there are athletes around the world who have the abilities to make it big.”
And if they don’t, they cheer the other international successes.
“It’s great to see a friend live the dream,” Edebali said. “Regardless of where I end up, I’m living the dream with him.”
according to indystar.com
