American football is back in season, and this year Beijing fans of the National Football League (NFL) got the chance to kick off the new season at the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB). On Saturday, September 8, Beijing’s fans gathered on the school’s turf to soak up live football games, participate in flag football and cheer clinics, and meet an NFL all-star.
The event, which was free and open to the public, offered plenty of chances for attendees to test their football skills. A small obstacle course with football player cutouts gave kids the chance to evade being tackled and make their way to a touchdown. Bigger kids and adults practiced passing through small targets defended by oscillating football player cutouts, and then went long to test their catching skills at a station with a football throwing machine.
Perhaps the most anticipated and eye-catching aspects of the day were the four members of the New England Patriots cheerleading squad. The cheerleaders not only put on high-energy performances, signed autographs, and conducted a cheerleading clinic for kids of all ages, but they did it in heeled white go-go boots. The cheerleading clinic drew dozens of enthusiastic girls and boys, who learned to shake, shimmy, and pose.
There were two live football games, featuring hom
e teams the Beijing Cyclones and the Beijing Red Stars taking on rivals the Shanghai Nighthawks and the Shanghai Warriors. But the day’s highlight was no doubt former NFL quarterback Kordell Stewart, who spent part of the afternoon throwing passes to excited kids and adults. Giving helpful hints and encouraging those catching his passes, Stewart made jokes as he threw hundreds of passes to enthusiastic participants. He later signed autographs and posed for photos for the long line of fans.
e teams the Beijing Cyclones and the Beijing Red Stars taking on rivals the Shanghai Nighthawks and the Shanghai Warriors. But the day’s highlight was no doubt former NFL quarterback Kordell Stewart, who spent part of the afternoon throwing passes to excited kids and adults. Giving helpful hints and encouraging those catching his passes, Stewart made jokes as he threw hundreds of passes to enthusiastic participants. He later signed autographs and posed for photos for the long line of fans.This was the first NFL Experience to come to Beijing; last year was the first NFLX in China but the events were hosted in Shanghai and Guangzhou. This year the NFLX is also stopping in Guangzhou on November 11.
Check back at 4 o’clock today for the beijingkids interview with Kordell Stewart.
Photos by Ellis Friedman
