Canal de desarrollo

Encontrar y desarrollar a los mejores jugadores requiere que la liga mantenga un canal de talentos para producir su próxima generación de estrellas. Pero la NFL sabe que desarrollar talento es más que generar grandes jugadores de fútbol americano: se trata de generar grandes personas. Por eso, la liga respalda programas como el Programa de Transición para Principiantes, que brinda a los jugadores jóvenes los recursos y las habilidades para ayudarlos a lograr el éxito en la vida, sin importar el camino que transiten.

Los jugadores actuales y exjugadores suelen decir que se enamoraron por primera vez del fútbol americano cuando eran niños. La alegría que provoca participar en Pop Warner o jugar en un partido informal inspira a los jugadores jóvenes a involucrarse en el fútbol americano organizado mediante la escuela media, la escuela secundaria y la universidad.

“El espíritu, el deseo de ganar y la voluntad para superarse son las cosas que perduran. Estas cualidades son mucho más importantes que los sucesos que ocurran”.

Vince Lombardi

La NFL invierte en programas que promueven un interés temprano y duradero en el deporte y los respalda infundiendo respeto por sus valores fundamentales: trabajo en equipo, compromiso y liderazgo, entre otros. Los programas de la liga desarrollan no solo a la próxima generación de atletas y jugadores de fútbol americano, sino también a jóvenes adultos exitosos y capaces.

No todos los jugadores llegan a ser profesionales, por eso, la NFL busca formas en las que el fútbol americano pueda ser un catalizador para un mayor desarrollo personal. Es algo más grande que simplemente formar a la próxima generación de estrellas de fútbol americano; se trata de formar a la próxima generación de grandes líderes, dentro y fuera del campo.

Organized sports offer a structured social environment where children can learn important lessons about team-building, leadership, discipline, respect for authority and the importance of physical fitness. Numerous NFL and NFL-affiliated programs offer young athletes, both boys and girls, a chance to get active, have fun with their peers and start to develop an appreciation for the game.

Learn more about youth opportunities:

• PLAY 60 — This national youth health and fitness program encourages children to be active for at least 60 minutes a day.
• PUNT, PASS & KICK — Open to boys and girls ages 6 to 15, this national punting, passing and placekicking skills competition teaches football fundamentals in a noncontact environment.
• Pop Warner — This organization provides youth football, cheerleading and dance programs in 42 U.S. states and in several other countries.
• USA Football — Sponsored by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, this nonprofit organization promotes football development through educational programs.

The longer kids stay involved in football, the more opportunities they have to develop both as a player and as a person. Playing in high school requires student-athletes to stay accountable for their grades so they can maintain eligibility to play and potentially earn college scholarships. 

The NFL’s High School Player Development and Player Engagement Prep programs stress the values that lead to success on and off the field.

Learn more about high school opportunities:

• NFL High School Player Development — This NFL program offers high school players the opportunity to develop skills that lead to success in football and in life. 
• Player Engagement Prep — These NFL programs provide high school and college student-athletes with the tools to help them succeed in life and in school.

Cuando los jugadores llegan a la universidad, se enfrentan a nuevos desafíos en cuanto a equilibrar las demandas de su deporte y, al mismo tiempo, avanzar en su educación superior. Dominar esas demandas ayuda a formar a los estudiantes atletas y los prepara para la vida después del estudio. Es por eso que la NFL trabaja estrechamente con la NCAA a través del programa de Extensión Universitaria y el Comité Asesor Universitario para ayudar a los jugadores a capitalizar las oportunidades atléticas y académicas disponibles para ellos, garantizando que estén preparados para tener éxito en la universidad y después de ella.

Learn more about college opportunities:

• College Outreach — This program connects former NFL players and student-athletes to talk about the realities of reaching the professional level of sports.
• College Advisory Committee — NFL scouts give underclassmen considering turning pro a realistic evaluation of their chances for success at the next level.
• NFL Player Engagement Prep — This collection of programs, focusing on aspiring collegiate and professional athletes, supports the personal and professional growth of football players before, during and after their NFL experience.

Every football player eventually faces the reality that his playing days are over. For some, that day comes after a career in the NFL; for others, it comes during college, or earlier. Many players struggle with this transition, but the NFL works to make it easier by preparing them for that day before it arrives and offering a wide range of programs that keep former players involved in the game they love.

Learn more about opportunities for former players:

• NFL-NCAA Coaches Academy — This program works with former collegiate players interested in pursuing a career in coaching, to get them started and to continue their education and further hone their coaching skills.
• Nunn-Wooten NFL Scouting Fellowship — Designed to educate former players interested in a career in professional scouting. This program gives participants hands-on experience as full-time members of an NFL scouting staff, shadowing NFL scouts during a season-long internship that develops their ability to spot talent.
• Officiating Development Program — In this program, former players have the unique opportunity to use their unmatched understanding of the sport to stay involved in football as an official.
• Legends Officiating Development Program — Former players get the opportunity to use their knowledge of football and world-class athleticism to stay involved in the game they love through an accelerated path to a football officiating career.