NFL – Beijing Kids

Education and Sports: NFL Legend Jerry Rice’s Message During Beijing Tour

Nimo_Wanjau — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 07:00:00 +0000

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

1st and Legend: Jerry Rice Touches Down in Beijing To Kick Off China Tour

Nimo_Wanjau

If you missed out on meeting National Football League (NFL) Hall of Famer (HoF) Joe Montana last year then this year don’t miss out on meeting with yet another 49ers HoF as he tours the city. Who is it? None other than Jerry Rice, yes, Rice will be at the International School of Beijing on Saturday November 15, for a meet and greet with the wider Beijing community as this is a public event followed by a cocktail reception at the Kerry Hotel. Then at the Beihai University grounds on Sunday, November 16 1-8pm for the NFL China Home Field City Finals.

On Thursday November 18, Rice will be at the US Embassy Press Event for the International Education Week to talk about this university days, the struggles and the triumphs.

Then heads down to the southern city of Shanghai to be the special guest at the University Bowl VI on November 22-23.

Rice is considered on the greatest NFL players to ever play (American) football who played 20 seasons as a wide receiver with different teams. The longest stint in his career was with the 49ers and was teammates with last year’s special guest star-Montana. He will be on site having meet-and-greets with the fans and leading on-field clinics.

This is a chance to get a signed autograph with him and probably give that to one of the few sports friends for Christmas or just sell it to raise money for the Christmas gift giving fund (I have one as coming from a large family this needs to be saved over the year).

As the NFL season continues to shape up for the playoffs, Rice’s visit is aimed at making the sport more popular in China. Each season something new is added to the Home Field such as a Tour Bus that had people given the opportunity to buy authentic NFL merchandize.

Photos: Erik Daniel Frost, Anthony Quintano (flickr)

Not an Average Joe: NFL Icon Joe Montana Heads to Beijing in November

Nimo_Wanjau — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 09:15:00 +0000

One of the most decorated American National Football League quarterbacks of modern football era; Joe Montana will be heading to Beijing to promote the NFL China’s University Flag Football. Joe led the San Francisco 49ers four Super Bowl wins in the 1980s. He is best known for orchestrating fourth quarter comebacks and earning the nickname, The Comeback Kid and Joe Cool. Joe was inducted to the Pro Hall of Fame in 2000.

The NFL legend will be available for a Q&A session at the Kerry Hotel on the evening of November 18. We sat down with him for a little Q&A about his pending visit, early childhood and family life.

Why are you coming to Beijing?

I’m coming to China as the special guest for the University Bowl, the championship tournament between the Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou NFL China University Flag Football teams that is happening in Guangzhou on November 17. While I’m here, I will be visiting Beijing and Shanghai for a couple of and greets with the public.

What will you be interested in looking out for while in Beijing?

I’m not there very long but if I can squeeze in things, I’d love to do it I’m still doing research and looking up the places that I’d like to see but I’m interested in some of the older parts of China. Of course, there are places like the Great Wall, The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, which are popular in pictures.

What got you interested in sports?

Growing up in Western Pennsylvania there was a certain lifestyle with the coalmines and the steel mills. My parents could never afford to send me to college and they saw sports as a way out of the lifestyle of the area.

What occupations did you have as a child?

I played sports 365 days a years so that was kind of my job. As long as I kept up with my homework that was my job. Although I did caddie on occasion but that was just for a time. I spent more time playing cards behind the caddy shack than I did going out and carrying bags.

What were your favorite childhood books?

I liked books that were entertaining and still do to this day. Growing up, I liked books that were more fun than anything. So I looked for things that would make me laugh or smile. I still approach reading for fun today in the same way. I don’t want to read about somebody’s life story or bio for fun as much as I want to be entertained. So make it murder mystery, drama – still to this day just entertain me.

What was your favorite subject in school?

My favorite subject was math. I don’t know why because it became one of the more difficult ones as you keep going through school but it was still my most favorite.

Do you think Math or other subjects in school translated on the field?

I think they both worked hand in hand because it took the same amount of discipline to be successful. People always ask I would ever get nervous and I would go, “yeah, everybody is nervous.” You’re nervous for a reason because you want to do well. Just like when you’re in school, the more you prepare yourself for a test, the better you will feel. You may be a little nervous going in but at least you know you’re prepared. If you hadn’t prepared for a test, you know that feeling in your stomach before is not good. It’s the same in sports. You have to prepare yourself everyday for practice just like you do everyday for class. Your test is every Saturday or Sunday depending on whether you’re in college or the NFL so you have to prepare yourself for that. It works hand in hand.

What do you miss most about playing competitive football?

I miss it all. I miss being on the field. I miss the locker room: the practical jokes; the camaraderie and the joy of winning. You hate losing but I’ll even take that if I can get back to playing again. It’s just one of the craziest, most fun games. I always say that I wish everyone could experience a Sunday afternoon on the field. If people did, they will know right away why guys try to play as long as we possibly can before we retire.

What are some of your parenting woes?

The hardest part is that always trying to find that line between friendship and teaching. Being tough and making the hard calls. My wife is much better than it that I am. That’s the hardest part because you always want to teach and show them the way but sometimes there are tough decisions where you have to say no and put your foot down. It’s difficult but you find in the end that they are thankful for the times when you do get a little bit strict on certain things like when they go out, what time they come home and those types of decisions.

Both your sons play football, what concerns did you have for them?

As a parent you always worry about injuries more than anything else. You try to get them to protect themselves. Last week, my son Nicholas missed the game. He didn’t play baseball growing up so I tell him that’s probably the problem because he can’t figure out how to slide. He tried taking on four guys so he separated his shoulder. Thankfully it’s a bye week for him and he’s recovering so hopefully he will be able to come back next week.

Photos courtesy of the Associated Press and The New York Times.

Best Monday Ever: Super Bowl Monday at The Kerry Hotel

morganshang — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 08:00:28 +0000

Even though Super Bowl Sunday is Super-Early-Monday-Morning Super Bowl in Beijing, the whole family will have great motivation to wake up next Monday, February 4 for Super Bowl XLVII at The Kerry Hotel, Beijing. beijingkids and The Beijinger are both sponsors of this event, which in addition to the Simulcast game and half-time show, will include interactive games, memorabilia giveaways, and live-in-the-flesh NFL legends and cheerleaders.

Even if you don’t know the teams that are facing off (Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers), you’ll still have a great time watching the commercials and rubbing shoulder pads with pro players like Super Bowl XLIV champion and Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush, and former NFL pros Jack Brewer and Akin Ayodele.

Doors open at the crack of 6.30am, and kickoff is at 7.30am. Adult tickets are RMB 300, children under 12 are RMB 200. To make reservations, call 8565 2633.

Photo courtesy of Dragon Events China

Beijing Gets in the Game at NFL Experience

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 05:00:00 +0000

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 home 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

Play With the Pros: NFL Touches Down in Beijing This Weekend

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Fans of football (American style, that is) generally spend the season catching games on TV in the wee hours of the morning. But this weekend, any American football fan’s dream is coming true: the National Football League (NFL) is coming to Beijing for the NFL Experience (NFLX). This Saturday, September 8 you can spend the entire day at the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) basking and partaking in the glory of pro football.

NFLX will not only feature flag football clinics, live tackle and flag football games, and an autograph session with former NFL quarterback Kordell Stewart, but also a performance by the New England Patriots Cheerleaders and a cheer clinic to follow. NFLX is free to attend and open to all, no tickets required, but all children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult. The clinics are open to everyone on a first come, first serve basis, though participants must register and sign a waiver. If you plan on participating, be sure to wear comfy athletic gear and come ready to put on your game face!

Click here to see the NFLX Beijing website.

Photo courtesy of NFLX