Handing off the fun factor

Former NFL greats provide big boost for Chinese gridiron

Sometimes it takes a big man to remember what it's like to be a small boy.

Make that three big men.

On Wednesday afternoon at Bayi Middle School in Beijing's Haidian district, former NFLers Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark and Ike Taylor showed three dozen star-struck Chinese youngsters - and their parents - how to have fun while instructing them in the basics of American football.

Teammates on the 2006 Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, the three retired this past offseason. With five championships and nine Pro Bowl selections between them, they will be special guests at NFL China's University Bowl national flag football final in Shanghai this weekend.

"When they called to ask if we would come over and lend a hand to help NFL China, it was a no-brainer," said the 34-year-old Polamalu, Pittsburgh's No 1 draft pick in 2003, who went on to become the highest-paid strong safety in NFL history when he inked a four-year, $31 million contract extension in 2007.

"It doesn't seem that long ago that I was a kid just learning the ropes in football, so it's a real honor for me to hopefully pass something on to these young people. Their enthusiasm for the game is fantastic."

Clark, 35, played free safety for the New York Giants and Washington Redskins before spending seven years in Pittsburgh. He wore a huge smile the whole time he was on the field on Wednesday.

"This takes me back, it really does," Clark said while coaching against Polamalu and Taylor during an impromptu scrimmage.

"We were just like these guys once ... learning the game, growing as people.

"Who would believe that an undrafted kid from a little school in Louisiana would one day be helping to spread the fun of football in far-off China? I owe this game so much, so it's an honor and a pleasure and a thrill to have this opportunity.

"When I see how these kids light up when they're playing, see how eager they are to learn, it makes me light up, too.

"For me, it's all about having fun. That's the biggest thing ... and it crosses language and culture. I don't speak a word of Mandarin, but I can show these kids the fun factor. You don't need a translator to tell us we're getting the message across."

Taylor, drafted 125th overall in 2003, spent his entire 12-year career with the Steelers, blossoming into one of the NFL's most dangerous cornerbacks. He echoed Clark's endorsement for using fun to expand China's American football following.

"I see a real future for the game here," said Taylor.

"I see it on the faces of these kids ... and I'm impressed with how quickly they pick up the basics. In a clinic like this there's not enough time to do anything too complicated, but emphasizing the fun really puts them at ease and helps them learn. It's amazing to see how receptive they are."

Richard Young, managing director of NFL China, said the turnout at Wednesday's event underlined the positive impact of annual visits by former greats of the game.

"We've previously had Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Barry Sanders come to China. Now Polamalu, Clark and Taylor are taking it to the next level with their help in launching our 'Play 60' program for the kids," said Young.

"You can see for yourself how big a deal this is for these kids, and our website hits and online viewership figures show that more and more Chinese youth are curious about American football and want to try playing it.

"Our goal is to link the fun and values of playing football to their overall education - and it's working."