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The Bristol sportsman dreaming of playing in the NFL
A Bristol-born athlete hopes to become the city’s first ever NFL player.
Twenty-year-old Akram Elnagmi has just graduated from the NFL Academy and will soon be on his way to play American football at a prestigious USA college where he hopes to fulfil his dream of being signed by an NFL team.
6′ 6″ tall Elnagmi, who grew up in Stapleton, played rugby at Bristol Grammar School before joining the NFL Academy in Loughborough.
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Elnagmi went to Begbrook Primary School as a child
Elnagmi, whose family now live in Stoke Gifford, got into American football after watching his brother play the sport.
He was a pupil at Begbrook Primary Academy in Stapleton before moving to BGS and then joining the NFL Academy in Loughborough.
Elnagmi is one of six NFL Academy athletes from across the world who have been snapped up by US universities as the next step in their dreams to become professionals.
He will soon be moving to Pittsburgh to represent the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Akram Elnagmi is among the newly signed class of 2025 at the Pittsburgh Panthers – photo: Pittsburgh Panthers
Elnagmi’s first match for the NFL Academy was in Ireland and he admits that it “wasn’t a great game”.
“But from that game, I learned a lot of lessons on what I really needed to do. It only made me stronger and focus on what I needed to do for the next games.”
For Elnagmi, Bristol will always be home: “I was born and raised in Bristol. My family and friends are all in Bristol. They’re my strongest support system.
“Having them there, always having a home to come back to in Bristol is something nice to have.
“Bristol was also where I first found my love for American football – seeing my brothers play, UWE play – seeing how they had their dominance on other surrounding teams.”
The NFL Academy offers talented student athletes like Elnagmi the chance to combine their full-time education with intensive training in American football.
Head of the NFL Academy programme in the UK, Lamonte Winston, said: “We couldn’t be prouder of these young men as they begin the next chapter in their American football journey.
“Today’s news is a testament, not only to their football ability but their dedication and hard work in the classroom.
“All six are exemplary role models for young athletes across the world seeking to pursue their dream of playing in the NFL and optimising what can be achieved at the NFL Academy.”
Elnagmi’s choice of university was not simple. The former rugby and basketball player was offered places at four different universities before he chose the University of Pittsburgh, which he said is where he “always wanted to go”.
All photos: Peter Simmons
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