Strengthening HBCUs
The NFL is committed to increasing opportunities for students and administrators from HBCUs.
Through initiatives hosted across the country, the NFL celebrates the impact of HBCUs and their student athletes.
In May 2016, the NFL launched Strength of HBCUs, Impacting Pro Football Since 1948 in partnership with two preeminent HBCU athletic conferences – the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Since the launch, the NFL has expanded the partnership to also include the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), and HBCUs across the country.
The partnership's objective is to increase opportunities for students and athletic administrators from this world class community of institutions.
The NFL is proud of its long history with HBCUs and is committed to strengthening the ongoing partnership.
Future Leaders in Football Forum
The Future Leaders in Football Forum brings together students from across the country with the objective of inspiring, developing, and connecting students with industry professionals and NFL partners. This event serves as a platform for participants to gain valuable insights into careers in professional football.
Through this virtual event, students are able to participate in lectures and panel discussions with NFL leadership and club executives, resume and skill-building workshops, and peer-to-peer networking.
Germaine Bozeman, FAMU Athletics Digital Journalist Intern (2024 Participant)
Future Leaders in Football Fellowship
The Future Leaders in Football Fellowship exists in partnership with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
Select participants interested in careers in football are provided with a stipend to work with their institution’s football program in athletic training, scouting/recruiting, football operations, equipment, and video. Highly evaluated participants will be given an opportunity to attend an NFL tentpole event and will be placed in the pipeline for future opportunities at the league. Fellows are selected through their HBCU conferences and work for the duration of the football season.
Campus Connection Program
Left to right: Avis Roper, Robert Porcher III, Antoine Bethea, Darius “Shaq” Leonard
The NFL's Campus Connection program is a commitment to celebrating the impact HBCUs have had on football. The program drives awareness around career opportunities in the sports industry and provides access to the business of sports for HBCU students.
This past year, in partnership with Amazon, students will join professionals from AWS and the NFL to game plan for their future. Students from the following institutions are invited to attend the 2024 AWS x NFL Homecoming Kickoff: Allen University, Benedict College, Claflin University, Clinton College, Denmark Technical College, Morris College, South Carolina State University, and Vorhees College.
NFL Experienceships
The HBCU Experienceships were launched by the NFL Football Operations department to connect, develop, and provide collegiate candidates interested in establishing a career in sports and entertainment with opportunities to learn about the business through practical learning and shadowing experiences. Experienceship activations for the participants are hosted at several NFL tentpole and partner events, including Pro Bowl, Super Bowl, Celebration Bowl, East-West Shrine Bowl, NFL Combine, and NFL Draft.
This initiative honors the rich history of HBCUs and the NFL while looking towards the future.
Social Justice Town Hall
The NFL Social Justice Town Hall is hosted during select NFL tentpole events. The town halls are open to all professional athletes, educators, thought leaders, seasoned businesspeople, and rising entrepreneurs and provide space for all to share their thoughts, educate others, and plan the future that we want to see. Through open and engaged dialogue, the town hall will help develop strategies that can directly impact underserved cities and communities across the U.S.
NFL Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative
The NFL, NFL Physicians Society, and Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society are committed to increasing diversity in sports medicine and have launched a new initiative to encourage medical students from diverse backgrounds to consider sports medicine careers.
The collaboration provides medical students at 21 medical schools with the opportunity to complete a clinical rotation with NFL club medical staff. 2024 participants are listed below.
EA Madden HBCU Tournament
The EA Madden HBCU Tournament provides HBCU students with an opportunity to compete while also exploring the business of sports through a week of practical learning and job shadowing.
The tournament is available to students to put their Madden skills to work by competing in one of several online qualiers offered or students can submit a video essay regarding why they should be selected. Finalists are also exposed to the business of sports through professional development sessions and practical learning and job shadowing experiences at an NFL tentpole event. Student finalists take home cash and other prizes.
NFL Football Operations’ mission is to establish a culture of clarity, consistency and credibility in all aspects of the greatest game. Football is an essential piece of America’s fabric, uniting fans, players and communities with a simple yet powerful bond. We honor the game’s history while continuing to innovate and preserve the sport for future generations of fans, players, coaches, teams and officials.
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