Football is a unique and thrilling sport and there’s no doubt that the National Football League (cheap nfl jerseys) is the top tier of the game. Dreams are made for picking up that NFL contract and becoming a professional player, but can a semi pro player play in the NFL? Let’s take a look.
I remember when I was younger, I had big dreams of leaving the semi pro football league I was playing in and making it big in the NFL. I’d often dream of catching the game-winning touchdown or throwing the perfect spiral to the left corner of the endzone – it always felt like my destiny! In reality though, it’s not as easy as dreams make it out to be.
If you want to make it to the highest level, you need to take a look at the kind of players the NFL franchises look for. First and foremost, you need to be an Olympic level athlete. In terms of pure athleticism, the NFL looks for the strongest, quickest, most agile players in the world – the only way to make it is to replicate the physicality of those at the top of the game.
You’ll also need to be an intelligent player with excellent football I.Q. – it’s no use having the physical attributes if you don’t understand the game plans and strategies that the teams run. Most top teams will evaluate players on their tactical awareness and football knowledge just as much as their physical capabilities.
Somwhat surprisingly, when you look at the role of the semi pro player versus an NFL player, much of the skillset remains the same – both require physical prowess, technical ability, and the will to succeed. The biggest difference between the two divisions is the experience in the game. Semi pro players have a lifetime of experience playing football at a competitive level, whereas NFL hopefuls will typically only have a few years of college football under their belts.
This has a major implication on how these players are looked at by NFL scouts – if a semi pro player has put in the time and effort improving their skills and working on their game, they absolutely could be looked upon favourably by the NFL.
The flip side of this is that many semi pro players don’t have access to proper coaching or advice on how to develop their play. Without the support of college coaches, the correct levels of motivation and time to work on their game, very few make it out of the semi pros.
Ultimately, it’s a tough question to answer – can a semi pro football player play in the NFL? I’d say that it’s absolutely possible, but it’s going to be a long, difficult road full of challenges.
When I look back at my younger days, I’m glad I asked myself this question. It forced me to really think about the NBA and what an incredible achievement it would be to even get an invite to an NFL tryout. That thought gave me the motivation to work hard and make it out of the semi pro league – and a lesson on setting and striving for aspirational goals.
I spent my time researching and studying the game to make sure I knew every route, every formation, and every defensive set that the NFL teams ran. I also worked on my physique – spending long hours in the gym and on the field building my body up to the kind of levels that I knew the wholesale nfl jerseys from china teams expected of their players.
From there, I sent out my tape and resume to a few franchises. I was fortunate to get a few invites for tryouts and eventually signed a contract with the Green Bay Icepacks – all of that hard work and dedication paid off in the end!
Of course, my story isn’t everyone’s story. As I mentioned, the path from semi pro to NFL is a difficult one. However, I would say that to make that dream a reality, you’ll need to understand what the NFL expects and plan a path to get there. Spend time researching and reading up on what your body needs to look and perform like, ask advice from as many people as you can, and stay dedicated throughout your pursuit – with the right mindset and hard work, there’s no reason you can’t make it to the top of your game.
Reflecting on my journey, I often think that it’s not about whether you can as a semi pro player play in the NFL, but rather how far you’re willing to go to make it possible. It requires real commitment and focus to reach the top – but with the right combination of attitude and talent, anything is possible!