Peter Clarke is living the dream.
The South London youngster is packing his bags and getting ready to fly out to Philadelphia, USA, to play American Football for Division 1 College Football team Temple University.
Peter was like many other kids who grew up in his neighbourhood, playing football, cricket, and basketball in the streets surrounding his home. He was never afraid to try a new sport and dabbled with Mixed Martial Arts, and was signed to Fulham FC’s youth development program.
But at age 13, a new sport captured his heart.
"I started playing Flag Football just for fun, getting to know the game, and then I went and played kitted football with the London Warriors,” Peter told Sky Sports in a recent interview.
“There, you start learning about college football, you start watching the games, and it becomes a dream.
“I knew I wanted to do it, but there was no clear path at that time. The Academy wasn’t a thing yet. Then it [the NFL Academy] gets announced, and I get invited to join, and the pieces start coming together.”
The Academy has become the preferred pathway for those young Brits wanting to get into US College Football programs,
Clarke is following in the footsteps of Seydou Traore, who plays at Arkansas State and London-born Darren Agu, who plays in Nashville for Vanderbilt.
Clarke wasn’t alone in fulfilling his dream.
In December 2022, he signed his official contract with Temple at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium together with Academy alumni Kofi Taylor-Barrocks (Colorado) and Freddie Pelling (Hawaii).
And Clarke is gushing in his praise for the NFL Academy, especially the commitment NFL made when it relocated to Loughborough for the 2022-23 academic year.
“When the Academy was in London, I was travelling to Southgate every day. If I needed to be in the gym by 6.30am, I had to leave the house at 4.45am.
“It was tough,” he told Sky Sports.
“In Loughborough, we all live next to the facility. We go to the gym in the morning at 6.30am, then straight to team breakfast, then to lessons and lunch. We review film with the coaches at 1pm, and then you are on the practice field, home, showered and ready for dinner.
“Loughborough is a blessing,” Clarke told the broadcaster.
All at Loughborough College and NFL Academy wish Peter and his peers every success.
For those interested in learning more about American Football and the NFL Academy, there is a Try Out Day on 4th February 2023 at Loughborough College. Click here to complete the expression of interest form.