As NFL legend, Jerry Rice heads south to Shanghai for the second leg of this China tour he has had a busy time in the city with crowning the Beijing Sports University city champions, passing and catching footballs with local players on the Badaling section of the Great Wall, holding clinics for kids and players at the Home Field games, speaking at the US Embassy Press Event for International Education Week and meet-and-greet sessions at the International School of Beijing and Kerry Hotel, Beijing.
Rice had a message he kept stressing, education. He stressed on the importance of learning the fundamentals of the game and getting a formal education as he tries to promote the sport in China. The NFL is trying to get America’s favorite sport in to the Chinese market with the creation of the Home Field games in three cities (Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou).
Rice jokes,"I would like to see a Super Bowl in China", at the finals of the Home Field games after saying the international games in London have gradually grown from one to three games popularity of the sport grows. But he said the teaching the fundamentals of the sport is key to getting people to understand the sport and eventually grow to like it. The American Football League of China will start to have games from next year.
"Getting an education is important as well, and if you get to play the sport you love, then that’s just a bonus", said Rice. He says that formal school acts like an insurance policy that can be cashed in when things do not according to plan.
In Shanghai, Rice will be the special guest at the launch of the Gridiron Leaders Foundation (GLF) at the Jing An Shangri-La tomorrow. An initiative aimed at providing opportunities for NCCA-level players to come to China and coach one of the twelve teams of the AFLC.
Check out some of the highlights that took place last weekend:
Photos: courtesy of Dragonmedia
