NFL to open academy in London

In the fall, the NFL will open its inaugural football academy in London, serving 80 players ages 16 to 18 in England's capital, the Associated Press reports. “In the last two or three years, this has been about, whilst being quintessentially American, could we be more British (and) locally relevant?” said NFL UK managing director Alistair Kirkwood. “(Can we) have grassroots and a commitment to having British players who look like you and talk like you, and then at the same time have younger kids playing the game right down to flag football?” Similar to soccer clubs overseas, which cultivate talent at a young age through their academies, the NFL will accomplish a similar goal while growing the sport outside the United States. While it will initially be open to 16- to 18-year-olds, the program, if successful, could look to target other age groups and girls in the future. More than 1,500 individuals applied for the program, with 150 finalists already picked. That number will be whittled down to 80 before the ac

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