List of NFL players born outside the United States

Compared to other major professional sports leagues in North America, the National Football League (NFL) has the lowest share of players born outside the United States.[1] In 2017, roughly 3% of active players were born outside the US.[2] In recent drafts, teams have made efforts to search for prospects internationally.[3][4] The International Player Pathway (IPP) program was introduced by the league in 2017, which allocates non-American players to NFL teams to help develop them.

International athletes have played in the NFL since the league's founding in 1920. There have been 9 foreign-born players inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Many international players have found success on special teams; two of the three highest scorers in NFL history were foreign born: kickers Morten Andersen of Denmark and Gary Anderson of South Africa.[5] Canada is the all-time most represented foreign country, with 107 players, followed by Germany with 80 players and Jamaica with 40.[6]

History

See also: International Player Pathway

Beginnings

At least nine foreign-born players played in the inaugural 1920 NFL season.[6] These included:

Latin America

The first Latino to play in the NFL was Ignacio Saturnino "Lou" Molinet, a Cuban who signed with the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1927. His contract was donated to the Pro Football Hall of Fame by his daughter in 2000. Following Molinet were brothers Jess Rodriguez and Kelly Rodriguez of Spain: Jess was a tailback for the Buffalo Bisons in 1929, while Kelly played for the Yellow Jackets and Minneapolis Red Jackets in 1930.[12]

In 1944, the Philadelphia Eagles drafted Steve Van Buren, a halfback born in La Ceiba, Honduras, to an American father and a Spanish mother. He played eight seasons for the Eagles, and retired as the NFL's career leader in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. In 1965, Van Buren became the first Latino inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[13]

In 1948, the Los Angeles Rams drafted Tom Fears. Fears was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, to an American father and a Mexican mother. He led the Rams' receiving game as a split end from 1948 to 1956, winning an NFL championship with the team in 1951. He later became the first Latino head coach in the history of the league, heading the New Orleans Saints staff from their inauguration in 1967, through the 1970 season. Fears was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.[14][15]

The first Colombian player in the NFL was Jairo Peñaranda, born in 1958 in Barranquilla. He played for the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles. He would be followed by Fuad Reveiz, born in 1963 in Bogotá. Reveiz played for the Miami Dolphins during the 1985 season, and later for the San Diego Chargers and Minnesota Vikings. During his 11 years as a professional, he scored 188 field goals and 367 extra points.

Martín Gramática, an Argentinian, was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a placekicker in the 1999 NFL draft. He later played for the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints. His brother, Bill, was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2001, and would later play for the Miami Dolphins.

Cairo Santos, a Brazilian kicker, is the first NFL player born in Brazil. He currently plays for the Chicago Bears, holding three franchise records. He also holds nine Kansas City Chiefs franchise records. After him, Durval Queiroz spent time with the Miami Dolphins.

Sammis Reyes was the first Chilean to play in the NFL. He signed with the Washington Commanders in 2021 after playing basketball in Chile and played primarily on special teams.[16]

Europe

Several native Europeans played in the NFL's inaugural 1920 season, including fullback John Barsha of Russia, tackle John Kvist of Sweden, end Bob Nash of Ireland, and brothers John and Phil Nesser from Germany.[6] Later, Bronko Nagurski signed with the Chicago Bears—although born in Canada, he was the son of Ukrainian immigrants and well known for his Ukrainian heritage. Born Bronislau Nagurski, he became renowned for his extraordinary strength and power as a fullback and linebacker for the Bears in the 1930s.[17]

Fullback Ace Gutowsky from Russia played for the Detroit Lions from 1932 to 1938, and became the franchise's career leader in rushing yards. Contemporary sources credit Gutowsky with setting the NFL's career rushing yards record with 3,399 in 1939 as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers.[18][19]

In 1950, the San Francisco 49ers used their first draft pick as an NFL franchise on Leo Nomellini, a defensive tackle from the University of Minnesota who was born in Lucca, Italy, and moved to Chicago at a young age. Nomellini played with the 49ers until he retired in 1963 after 10 Pro Bowl invitations and nine All-Pro selections. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969 and the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1979.[20]

Garo Yepremian, born in Larnaca, Cyprus, was a placekicker for the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a career from 1966 to 1981. He won two Super Bowls and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Dolphins, as well as a first-team kicker on the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team. Yepremian may best be remembered for a blunder during the Dolphins' victory in Super Bowl VII, in which his attempt to pass the ball after a blocked field goal attempt resulted in a fumble returned 49 yards for the Washington Redskins' only touchdown of the game.[21][22]

Scandinavia has produced the two lone exclusive placekickers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jan Stenerud came from Fetsund, Norway, to the U.S. by way of a skiing scholarship to Montana State University. There he picked up placekicking, and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1966 AFL draft. He played 19 seasons in the AFL and NFL with the Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings and kicked a then-record 373 field goals.[23] Morten Andersen, born in Copenhagen, Denmark, played 25 seasons in the NFL for five different teams. Nicknamed the "Great Dane", he is the NFL's career leader in field goals made and attempted, games played, and points scored. He retired as the career franchise leader in points scored for both the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.[24]

English-born placekicker John Smith played for the New England Patriots from 1974 to 1983. Although he led the league in scoring twice and was invited to the Pro Bowl in 1980, he is best known for kicking a game-winning field goal against the Miami Dolphins in 1982 in the famous Snowplow Game.[25] Other notable Englishmen include Atlanta Falcons placekicker Mick Luckhurst, who went on to present Channel 4's NFL coverage on UK television from 1987 to 1991, two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora and former Eagles running back Jay Ajayi. While with the Miami Dolphins in 2016, the London-born Ajayi became the fourth player in NFL history to rush for 200 or more yards three times in a season.[26] He also became the first London-born skill position player to play in his hometown, when the Dolphins faced the Saints in the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium in 2017.[27]

The New York Giants' current kicker and punter were both born in Scotland. Kicker Graham Gano is a 2017 Pro Bowl invitee who has played for the Giants, Washington Redskins, and Carolina Panthers. Punter Jamie Gillan, nicknamed "the Scottish Hammer," previously played for the Cleveland Browns.

Oceania

In recent decades, Polynesians—in particular Samoans—have found great success in the NFL,[28][29] so much so that the island of American Samoa has been referred to as "Football Island" by outsiders.[30][28][31] According to Forbes in 2015, a Samoan male was 56 times more likely to play in the NFL than a non-Samoan male.[28]

Al Lolotai was the first Polynesian to play professionally, playing for the Washington Redskins in 1945, and the AAFC Los Angeles Dons from 1946 to 1949. Samoans began to make their mark in the NFL in the 1970s with players such as Jack "The Throwin' Samoan" Thompson and Pago Pago native Mosi Tatupu. Thompson was the first Polynesian quarterback in the NFL,[29] and Tatupu was invited to the Pro Bowl in 1986 as a special teams player.[32]

Vai Sikahema was the first Tonga native in the NFL. He led the league in punt return yards in 1986 and 1987 while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.[33] Sikahema's cousin, Deuce Lutui, also from Tonga, later played seven seasons in the NFL as an offensive guard. Super Bowl XLIII featured two Tongan offensive guards in Lutui for the Cardinals and Chris Kemoeatu for the Steelers.[34]

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame was established in 2013 to honor the greatest players, coaches, and contributors of Polynesian descent in football history.[35] Native Polynesian NFL players that have been inducted include Thompson, Tatupu, Sikahema, New Zealander Riki Ellison, and Samoans Jesse Sapolu and Maa Tanuvasa. Tongan Ma'ake Kemoeatu, cousin of Chris, was announced as an inductee for the 2018 class.[36]

Seoul native Hines Ward

Asia

Placekicker John Lee was the first Asian drafted in the NFL.[37] He was born in Seoul, South Korea. The four-year, $900,000 contract he signed with the Cardinals in 1986 was the richest in NFL history for a kicker.[38] Although highly successful in college for the UCLA Bruins, he lasted only one season in the NFL.[39] Younghoe Koo, who was also born in Seoul, has found more success. A 2020 Pro Bowler, Koo has kicked for the Los Angeles Chargers and Atlanta Falcons, and became known for his ability to successfully execute onside kicks.[40]

One of the most popular Asian-born players in NFL history is Hines Ward. Born in Seoul to a Korean mother and African-American serviceman, Ward played 14 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1998 to 2011 and previously coached in the NFL. During his career he won two Super Bowls, was invited to four Pro Bowls, and set numerous Steelers franchise receiving records.[41][39]

Africa

In 1984, Obed Ariri of Owerri, Nigeria, set Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise single-season records for field goals (19 of 26) and points (95).[42] Ariri also encouraged fellow Nigeria native Donald Igwebuike to tryout as kicker for the Clemson Tigers football team. The Buccaneers cut Ariri after the 1984 season and signed Igwebuike, who went on to become Tampa Bay's career leader in field goals and scoring.[43][44] A later representative of Nigeria was fullback Christian Okoye of Enugu, who became famous as the "Nigerian Nightmare" due to his powerful running style and ability to break tackles.[45]

Players representing Africa as of the 2017 season include Kenya native Daniel Adongo for the Indianapolis Colts as an outside linebacker, Liberia native Tamba Hali, a five-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs,[46] and Ghana native Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah, a defensive end for the Detroit Lions. Despite his young career, Ansah has been called one of the most influential and greatest Africans to play in the NFL.[47][5] Ansah was invited to the Pro Bowl in 2015 after recording 14.5 sacks and forcing four fumbles.[48]

Australia

See also: Australians in American football

Recent seasons have seen a surge of Australians in the NFL primarily at the punter position.[49][50] As punting is a vital aspect of Australian rules football, many players develop a skill set suited for American football. The first Australian in the NFL was Melbourne native Colin Ridgeway, a punter who played a single season with the Dallas Cowboys in 1965.[51] The first punter to spend significant time in the league was Darren Bennett, who was a punter for the San Diego Chargers and Minnesota Vikings from 1995 to 2005. He is credited with having paved the way for the upsurge of recent Australian punters in the NFL, which includes Ben Graham, Matt McBriar, Brad Wing, Saverio Rocca, Jordan Berry, and Lac Edwards.[49]

Defensive tackle Colin Scotts was the first Australian to be drafted into the NFL, selected by the Cardinals in the third round of the 1987 draft.[52] In 2015, rugby league footballer Jarryd Hayne of Sydney signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. He played a limited role in eight games for the 49ers as a running back and punt returner before returning to Australia to resume his rugby league career.[53] Despite Hayne's brief NFL career, Scotts credited him with spurring the popularity of American football in Australia.[52]

Canada

See also: List of Canadians in the National Football League

Canadians make the most significant single source of foreign-born NFL players, due to the close geographical, linguistic, economic, and cultural ties between Canada and the United States. Most importantly, Canadians play their own domestic gridiron football code known as Canadian football and have their own professional equivalent to the NFL, the Canadian Football League (CFL). Because the two sports are very similar, American and Canadian players regularly transition between the two leagues. Canadians have played in the NFL since its inaugural season in 1920 with players such as Perce Wilson and Tommy Hughitt.

List of international players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame halfback Steve Van Buren was born in La Ceiba, Honduras.

Nine former players born outside the United States have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Player Birthplace Position Team(s) Inducted Source
Morten Andersen  Denmark Placekicker New Orleans Saints (1982–1994)
Atlanta Falcons (1995–2000)
New York Giants (2001)
Kansas City Chiefs (2002–2003)
Minnesota Vikings (2004)
Atlanta Falcons (2006–2007)		 2017 [54]
Tom Fears  Mexico End Los Angeles Rams (1948–1956) 1970 [55]
Ted Hendricks  Guatemala Linebacker Baltimore Colts (1969–1973)
Green Bay Packers (1974)
Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders (1975–1983)		 1990 [56]
Bronko Nagurski  Canada Fullback Chicago Bears (1930–1937, 1943) 1963 [57]
Leo Nomellini  Italy Defensive tackle San Francisco 49ers (1950–1963) 1969 [58]
Ernie Stautner  Germany Defensive tackle Pittsburgh Steelers (1950–1963) 1969 [59]
Jan Stenerud  Norway Placekicker Kansas City Chiefs (1967–1979)
Green Bay Packers (1980–1983)
Minnesota Vikings (1984–1985)		 1991 [60]
Steve Van Buren  Honduras Halfback Philadelphia Eagles (1944–1951) 1965 [61]
Arnie Weinmeister  Canada Defensive tackle New York Giants (1950–1953) 1984 [62]

List of current NFL players born outside of the United States

Nationality Birthplace Player Pos. Ref.
 American Samoa  American Samoa Jonah Savaiinaea Guard [63]
 American Samoa  American Samoa Daniel Ekuale Nose tackle [64]
 American Samoa  American Samoa Frankie Luvu Linebacker [65]
 American Samoa  American Samoa Noah Sewell Linebacker [66]
 American Samoa  American Samoa Penei Sewell Offensive tackle [67]
 American Samoa  American Samoa Nephi Sewell Linebacker [68]
 American Samoa  American Samoa Francisco Mauigoa Linebacker [69]
 Australia  Australia Mitch Wishnowsky Punter [70]
 Australia  Australia Daniel Faalele Guard [71]
 Australia  Australia Jeremy Crawshaw Punter [72]
 Australia  Australia Patrick Murtagh Tight end [73]
 Australia  Australia Thomas Yassmin Tight end [74]
 Australia  Australia Luke Felix-Fualalo Offensive tackle [75]
 Australia  Australia Tory Taylor Punter [76]
 Australia  Australia Adam Gotsis Defensive end [77]
 Australia  Australia Michael Dickson Punter [78]
 Australia /  New Zealand  Australia Jordan Mailata Offensive tackle [79]
 Australia  Australia Cameron Johnston Punter [80]
 Austria  Austria Bernhard Raimann Offensive tackle [81]
 Austria  Austria Valentin Senn Offensive tackle [82]
 Bahamas  Bahamas Denzel Daxon Defensive end [83]
 Netherlands /  United States  Belgium Corliss Waitman Punter [84]
 Belize  Belize Rakeem Nuñez-Roches Defensive end [85]
 Brazil  Brazil Cairo Santos Kicker [86]
 Cameroon  Cameroon Arnold Ebiketie Linebacker [87]
 Cameroon  Cameroon Maema Njongmeta Linebacker [88]
 Canada  Canada Josh Palmer Wide receiver [89]
 Canada  Canada Michael Hoecht Defensive end [90]
 Canada  Canada Brent Urban Defensive end [91]
 Canada  Canada Tavius Robinson Linebacker [92]
 Canada  Canada Chase Brown Running back [93]
 Canada  Canada Sidy Sow Guard [94]
 Canada  Canada Jared Wayne Wide receiver [95]
 Canada  Canada Neville Gallimore Nose tackle [96]
 Canada  Canada Elic Ayomanor Wide receiver [97]
 Canada  Canada Benjamin St-Juste Cornerback [98]
 Canada  Canada Deane Leonard Cornerback [99]
 Canada  Canada Theo Johnson Tight end [100]
 Canada /  United States  Canada Jevon Holland Safety [101]
 Canada  Canada Sydney Brown Safety [102]
 Canada  Canada Theo Benedet Offensive tackle [103]
 Canada  Canada Nikola Kalinic Tight end [104]
 Canada  Canada Matthew Bergeron Guard [105]
 Canada  Canada Chuba Hubbard Running back [106]
 Canada  Canada Nathan Shepherd Defensive tackle [107]
 Canada  Canada Isaiah Adams Guard [108]
 Canada /  United States  Canada Alaric Jackson Offensive tackle [109]
 Canada  Canada Kurtis Rourke Quarterback [110]
 Canada  Canada Kyle Hergel Guard [111]
 Canada  Canada Jesse Luketa Linebacker [112]
 Canada  Canada Tanner McLachlan Tight end [113]
 Ivory Coast  Ivory Coast Kader Kohou Cornerback [114]
 Denmark  Denmark Hjalte Froholdt Center [115]
 Dominican Republic  Dominican Republic Bayron Matos Offensive tackle [116]
 Gambia  Gambia Ali Gaye Linebacker [117]
 Germany  Germany Leander Wiegand Guard [118]
 Germany  Germany Julius Welschof Linebacker [119]
 Germany  Germany Maximilian Mang Tight end [120]
 Germany  Germany Kilian Zierer Offensive tackle [121]
 United States  Germany Josh Harris Long snapper [122]
 Germany  Germany Lenny Krieg Kicker [123]
 United States  Germany Mike Jackson Cornerback [124]
 Germany  Germany Lorenz Metz Offensive tackle [125]
 Germany /  United States  Germany Jakob Johnson Fullback [126]
 Ghana  Ghana Thomas Incoom Linebacker [127]
 United States  Greece Kyle Hamilton Safety [128]
 Greece  Greece George Karlaftis Defensive end [129]
 United States  Guam Jerome Carvin Offensive tackle [130]
 Liberia /  United States  Guinea Kwity Paye Defensive end [131]
 Haiti /  United States  Haiti Junior Colson Linebacker [132]
 Haiti /  United States  Haiti Mike Sainristil Cornerback [133]
 United States  Hong Kong Cameron Dicker Kicker [134]
 Ireland  Ireland Daniel Whelan Punter [135]
 Italy  Italy Max Pircher Offensive tackle [136]
 Jamaica /  United States  Jamaica Danielle Hunter Defensive end [137]
 Jamaica /  United States  Jamaica Matt Peart Guard [138]
 Jamaica /  United States  Jamaica Corey Ballentine Cornerback [139]
 Jamaica /  United States  Jamaica Laken Tomlinson Guard [140]
 United States  Japan Andrei Iosivas Wide receiver [141]
 United States  Japan Patrick Jones II Linebacker [142]
 United States  Japan Michael Carter Running back [143]
 Lesotho /  Nigeria /  South Africa  Lesotho Paschal Ekeji Defensive end [144]
 Liberia  Liberia Sam Okuayinonu Defensive end [145]
 Mexico  Mexico Isaac Alarcón Offensive tackle [146]
 Netherlands  Netherlands Thomas Odukoya Tight end [147]
 United States /  New Zealand  New Zealand George Holani Running back [148]
 Nigeria  Nigeria Roy Mbaeteka Offensive tackle [149]
 Nigeria  Nigeria Obinna Eze Offensive tackle [150]
 Nigeria  Nigeria Chukwuma Okorafor Offensive tackle [151]
 Nigeria  Nigeria C. J. Okoye Defensive end [152]
 Nigeria  Nigeria Joseph Ossai Defensive end [153]
 Nigeria  Nigeria Haggai Ndubuisi Defensive tackle [154]
 Nigeria /  United States  Nigeria Samson Ebukam Defensive end [155]
 Nigeria  Nigeria Emmanuel Ogbah Defensive end [156]
 Nigeria  Nigeria David Agoha Defensive end [157]
 Nigeria  Nigeria Chukwuebuka Godrick Offensive tackle [158]
 Nigeria  Nigeria Victor Dimukeje Linebacker [159]
 Nigeria  Nigeria Moro Ojomo Defensive tackle [160]
 Nigeria  Nigeria David Onyemata Nose tackle [161]
 Nigeria /  United States  Nigeria Ruke Orhorhoro Defensive tackle [162]
 Nigeria /  United States  Nigeria Princely Umanmielen Linebacker [163]
 Nigeria  Nigeria Ben Chukwuma Offensive tackle [164]
 Nigeria /  Canada  Nigeria Amen Ogbongbemiga Linebacker [165]
 Nigeria /  United Kingdom  Nigeria Adedayo Odeleye Defensive end [166]
 Nigeria /  United Kingdom
 Scotland 		 Nigeria David Ojabo Linebacker [167]
 Nigeria  Nigeria Kingsley Jonathan Defensive end [168]
 Panama /  United States  Panama Jaylinn Hawkins Safety [169]
 Puerto Rico  Puerto Rico Federico Maranges Center [170]
 Samoa /  Australia  Samoa Laki Tasi Guard [171]
 South Africa  South Africa Greg Joseph Kicker [172]
 Canada /  Taiwan  Taiwan John Metchie III Wide receiver [173]
 Tonga /  Canada  Tonga Giovanni Manu Offensive tackle [174]
 Trinidad and Tobago /  United States  Trinidad and Tobago Javon Kinlaw Defensive tackle [175]
 United Kingdom
 England 		 United Kingdom
 England 		Travis Clayton Offensive tackle [176]
 United Kingdom
 England 		 United Kingdom
 England 		David Olajiga Defensive end [177]
 United Kingdom
 England 		 United Kingdom
 England 		Jermaine Eluemunor Offensive tackle [178]
 United Kingdom
 England 		 United Kingdom
 England 		Dante Barnett Defensive tackle [179]
 Nigeria /  United Kingdom
 England 		 United Kingdom
 England 		Julian Okwara Defensive end [180]
 United Kingdom
 England /  Zambia 		 United Kingdom
 England 		Mapalo Mwansa Linebacker [181]
 United Kingdom
 Northern Ireland 		 United Kingdom
 Northern Ireland 		Charlie Smyth Kicker [182]
 United Kingdom
 Scotland /  United States 		 United Kingdom
 Scotland 		Graham Gano Kicker [183]
 United Kingdom
 Scotland 		 United Kingdom
 Scotland 		Jamie Gillan Punter [184]
 United States /  Canada  United States Dalton Kincaid Tight end [185]
 United States /  Canada  United States Taylor Rapp Safety [186]
 United States /  Canada  United States Brett Rypien Quarterback [187]
 United States /  Canada  United States Alex Singleton Linebacker [188]
 United States /  Egypt  United States Ahmed Hassanein Defensive end [189]
 United States /  France  United States Lucas Niang Offensive tackle [190]
 United States /  Germany  United States Nick Folk Kicker [191]
 United States /  Germany  United States Brandon Coleman Guard [192]
 United States /  Germany  United States Amon-Ra St. Brown Wide receiver [193]
 United States /  Ghana  United States Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Linebacker [194]
 United States /  Nigeria  United States Edefuan Ulofoshio Linebacker [195]
 Venezuela /  United States  Venezuela Andrés Borregales Kicker [196]
 Zimbabwe /  United States  Zimbabwe Andrew Mukuba Safety [197]
 Zimbabwe  Zimbabwe T. J. Maguranyanga Defensive end [198]
 Zimbabwe /  United States  Zimbabwe Nate Landman Linebacker [199]

See also

References

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allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_players_in_the_National_Football_League