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Do You Have to be an American to Play in the NFL?

By: Author Andrew Herig

Posted on Published:

Do You Have to be an American to Play in the NFL?

Do You Have to be an American to Play in the NFL?

The NFL is, by far, the most popular sports league in the United States. With an estimated 17.1 million viewers per game, NFL games ranked as 48 of the top 50 shows on television during the 2021 regular season. And with the NFL’s total revenue exceeding $11 billion, its popularity appears to be growing incrementally year-over-year.

However, while the NFL is predominantly dominated by players from the United States and territories owned by the United States, there has been an increase in foreign born players in recent years.

Below, we are going to look at just whether or not you have to be an American to play in the NFL, who are some famous and some of the best foreign born NFL players, and what are the basic requirements needed to be eligible to be drafted to the league.

Do You Have to be an American to Play in the NFL?

Eligibility Requirements to Join the NFL

Per the NFL, in order for a player to be eligible for the draft, an individual player must be three years out of high school and must have used their college eligibility before the start of the next college football season.

Further, underclassmen and players who have graduated before using all their college eligibility may request the league’s approval to enter the draft early. In addition, players are draft-eligible only in the year after the end of their college eligibility. 

As an organization, the NFL personally confirms the eligibility of all draft prospects. In addition to working with the NCAA compliance departments at schools across the country, the league will also review all applications submitted by players who want to enter the draft early.

Similarly, once players have become draft-eligible or have declared their intention to enter the draft early, the leagues staff work with teams, agents and schools to clarify the players’ status. They also work with agents, schools, scouts and teams to enforce league rules for Pro Days and private workouts.

During the NFL Draft, the league will further confirm that all players who are drafted are draft-eligible.

Programs For International Players to Join the NFL

Although international players looking to join the NFL and be eligible for the NFL Draft can do so via the collegiate football route, the NFL has taken a stronger interest in recruiting international players. In an attempt to diversify the league and spur interest in the sport, the NFL has developed the International Player Pathway Program.

Instituted in 2017, the International Player Pathway Program succeeds the NFL International Development Practice Squad Program, which ran from 2004 through 2009. A program run directly by the NFL, the International Player Pathway Program looks to increase the overall number of non-American and Canadian players in the league.

As a means to increase the NFL’s status globally and as an opportunity for the league to increase its talent pool, the International Player Pathway Program also hopes to increase fandom in the sport and league on a global basis.

To be eligible for the International Player Pathway Program, a player must meet 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

Best Non-American Players to Play in the NFL

While the majority of NFL players are born and raised in the United States, there have been a plethora of players to play in the league who were born outside of the United States. As the NFL aims to become a global sports league, it hopes to attract more-and-more non-American players to team rosters and to increase the leagues visibility around the globe.

  • Sebastian Paweł Janikowski – Sebastian Janikowski is a Polish born NFL player who played 18 seasons in the league. Having primarily played for the Oakland Raiders, Janikowski played college football at Florida State and was selected 17th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft by the Raiders.
  • Hines Ward – Born in Seoul, South Korea, Hines Ward’s mother is Korean and his father is African-American. Having grown up in the Atlanta metro region, he played college football at the University of Georgia and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft.
  • Christian Emeka Okoye – Christian Okoye is a Nigerian-American former NFL player who played the fullback position for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1987 to 1992. Nicknamed the “Nigerian Nightmare”, Okoye was known for his powerful running style and his ability to break tackles.
  • Tamba Boimah Hali – Tamba is a for NFL linebacker and was born in Gbarnga, Liberia. Having immigrated to the United States at the age of 10 to escape civil war, he would attend Penn State University, earning All-American honors before being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft.
  • Morten Andersen – Morten Andersen, nicknamed the “Great Dane”, is a Danish former NFL player who played in the league for 25 seasons. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017, Andersen holds the NFL record for regular season games played at 382. He also ranks second in field goals (565) and points scored (2,544). In addition to his league accomplishments, he is the Saints’ all-time leading scorer at 1,318 points.
  • Osi Umenyiora – Osi Umenyiora os a former NFL defensive end who was born in London to Nigerian parents. He played college football for Troy University and was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Osi Umenyiora was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and holds the Giants franchise record for most sacks in one game. He is also just one of five British-born players to have won a Super Bowl.