Peyton Manning runs quarterback clinic in Beijing

Record ID: 85305

  • Title: Peyton Manning runs quarterback clinic in Beijing
  • Date: 28th September 2016
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (SEPTEMBER 28, 2016) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** YOUNG AMERICAN FOOTBALL PLAYER RUNNING TOWARDS FORMER DENVER BRONCOS QUARTERBACK PEYTON MANNING WHILE OTHER PLAYERS STANDING YOUNG PLAYERS PRACTISING MANNING THROWING AMERICAN FOOTBALL YOUNG PLAYERS PRACTISING VARIOUS OF MANNING COACHING YOUNG PLAYERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER DENVER BRONCOS QUARTERBACK, PEYTON MANNING, SAYING: "You have a place that has a passion for sports. Football is something different. I think once people can learn the rules, learn of the strategies and game planning, and mental and cerebral part of the football - once they learn that and appreciate that, I think they would have more of an interest in the game. So I think there is a lot of potential for it, and getting more young people to play. It's a great way to start and help grow that interest." VARIOUS OF MANNING COACHING YOUNG PLAYERS AMERICAN FOOTBALLS ON GROUND YOUNG PLAYER THROWING AMERICAN FOOTBALL AMERICAN FOOTBALL HITTING BARREL (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) PLAYER AT CHENGDU PANDAMAN AMERICAN FOOTBALL CLUB, HU LINGYI, SAYING: "American football is an emerging sport in China. So people love this game and that people (who love this game) gathering together can promote this game for sure. And then he (Manning) comes here and gathers people from all over the country so that people can stay together. Then when staying together, people are able to pool their wisdom and efforts and to do one thing well. This might be more beneficial for the promotion." YOUNG PLAYER CATCHING BALL FROM MANNING AND RUNNING YOUNG PLAYERS MANNING THROWING BALL AND COACHING YOUNG PLAYERS
  • Embargoed: 13th October 2016 12:29
  • Keywords: Football American Football China Peyton Manning Manning sport football clinic
  • Location: BEIJING, CHINA
  • City: BEIJING, CHINA
  • Country: China
  • Topics: American Football,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA00151HBARJ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Former Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning shared his experiences with young, aspiring Chinese American Football players at a quarterback clinic in Beijing on Wednesday (September 28).
    Manning, who retired following a Hall of Fame career, that also included a long stint with the Indianapolis Colts, is in China to promote the game as an ambassador of the NFL.
    The former quarterback, who spent the day coaching young players, believes there is great potential in the country American Football to succeed.
    "I think once people can learn the rules, learn of the strategies and game planning, and mental and cerebral part of the football - once they learn that and appreciate that, I think they would have more of an interest in the game. So I think there is a lot of potential for it, and getting more young people to play. It's a great way to start and help grow that interest," said the 40-year-old, who won two Super Bowls awards during a record-breaking career.
    Manning retired as the NFL's all-time leader in passing touchdowns and yards and as the only five-time winner of the league's Most Valuable Player award.
    For many of the Chinese players in attendance, it was an honour to play alongside someone so inspirational as Manning.
    "American football is an emerging sport in China. So people love this game and that people (who love this game) gathering together can promote this game for sure. And then he (Manning) comes here and gathers people from all over the country so that people can stay together," said Hu Lingyi, a player at the local Chengdu Pandaman American Football Club.
    China was scheduled to host a preseason NFL game in 2007 to kick off the one-year countdown to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, but the game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks was postponed and ultimately cancelled.
    However, there are plans for the country to host an NFL regular season game before 2018, with the re-created Los Angeles Rams expected to feature.
    Coincidently, the start of the China Arena Football League (CAFL) is also this weekend.
    The CAFL promises to be China's first ever professional American Football league, with six teams competing in the inaugural season.
    Following the CAFL draft in June, half of the 120 players selected are American and half are Chinese.
    Many of the American players, including Beijing Lions' Collin Taylor and Tyre Glasper of the Guangzhou Power, have played professional arena football in the United States. They will be playing alongside many Chinese players who have played college football in the United States.
    Despite the influx of established stars, as well as experienced AFL coaches, there is a long way to go before American Football takes off in China.
    The inaugural season of the CAFL is due to begin on October 1 in Beijing before "The China Bowl" final in Shanghai in November.
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