Sponsorship deals with Nike, Papa John’s Pizza commercials, comedy movie cameos and big-money contracts aren’t guaranteed just because you play in the National Football League.
Sure, some players like Peyton Manning, J.J. Watt and Tom Brady have those added ‘perks’ of being stars, but the majority of the league’s players don’t. They aren’t on your TV screens for three hours on Sunday afternoons then for 30-second snippets throughout the week trying to persuade you to change car insurance. These players are more anonymous. Some, though, are truly unknown.
The life of an NFL practice squad player is far from glamorous, but for many it’s a necessary step in order to make it to an active roster and get those shoe deals and commercials. It’s a lot of work for less pay with no TV time while constantly playing with fear. Fear of having to being perfect. Fear of being cut and out of a job.
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CentralAmerica
Gorgeous Guatemala
5 days . Mini
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.
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CentralAmerica
Beachy Belize
5 days . Mini
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica
Colonial Mexico
5 days . Mini
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica
Adventurous Ecuador
8 days . Epic
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.
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SouthAmerica
Ancient Peru
9 days . Epic
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Seductive Southern Italy
10 days . Epic
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.
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Europe
Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train
7 days . Culture
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe
Complete Portugal By Train
8 days . Culture
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia
Soulful South Korea
10 days . Epic
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.
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Asia
Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam
11 days . Epic
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train
10 days . Culture
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa
Epic Morocco
11 days . Epic
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!
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Africa
Ultimate Egypt
9 days . Epic
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa
Immersive Kenya
8 days . Epic
3. Kenya
An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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‘When you think of the NFL you think of the 46 guys in uniform playing Sundays, but there are 10 guys below the radar who get forgotten about,’ said wide receiver Ryan Spadola, a member of the Detroit Lions practice squad. ‘What a practice squad player goes through and what an active roster player goes through are immensely different. I personally think what a practice squad player is put through is a lot more mentally and physically during a week. You’re taking way more reps and you’re getting beat up a heck of a lot more; the only difference is you don’t play for those three hours Sunday.’
READ: Ryan Spadola, Like Many Others, Had Unheralded Journey to NFL
Practice squad
Each NFL team is allowed up to 10 players on its practice squad. These players practice with the players from the 53-man active roster (you know, the guys you see on Sundays), but practice squad players are not eligible to play on active game days — unless promoted to the active roster, of course.
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Practice squad players earn a minimum of $6,900 per week during the NFL season — players are only paid during the 17-week regular season — but can be paid as much as a team wants to pay them. Keep in mind that their salaries count toward the cap. Unfortunately, that money is not guaranteed, so if a practice squad player is cut after three weeks, they earned $20,700. And that can be all they made that season unless they are signed by another team.
Responsibilities
What does a practice squad player do? A lot! A practice squad player’s main responsibility is to prepare the active roster players for an opponent on any given week.
Pretend the Lions are playing the Oakland Raiders on Sunday afternoon. Spadola has to learn the Raiders’ playbook and do his best imitation of their top receiver, Amari Cooper, during scout reps. Why? Well, so when the Lions try to defend Cooper during the game Sunday, they know how he plays, they know his tendencies, his strengths and his weaknesses.
‘If we lose that weekend, I would take that on me,’ Spadola said. ‘If the receiver puts up 100 yards on one of our corners, I didn’t work that guy hard enough in practice.’
Not only do practice squad players have to prepare their teammates for game day, they also have to fill in for them as well. During practice, an active roster player won’t be on the field for every play and rep. He obviously has to fine-tune his playing, but doesn’t want to get overworked or burned out for the actual game. That’s where players like Spadola come in — they fill in for the active players when they are taking a play or series off during practice.
Then there is special teams — a place where a lot of the lesser-known players can make a name for themselves. A big punt return or tenacity to get downfield and make tackles can earn a practice squad player a spot on an active roster on special teams and, hopefully, whatever position he plays.
‘You’re doing a lot more on practice squad than an active guy while getting paid a lot less,’ Spadola said. ‘The title definitely diminishes the overall name-value you have to a team, but I think those guys are almost more important than a lot of active guys on the team.’
Unfortunate uncertainty
Simply put, practice squad players are more expendable than those on the active roster. Practice squad players are typically free agents or undrafted players, so the guaranteed money and investment a team makes in a practice squad player is significantly less than one they selected in the NFL Draft or traded for.
That means there is a higher turnover rate among practice squad players. These players can be cut for an endless list of reasons including: poor performance, corresponding roster moves, injuries or a change in coaching staff.
‘People think you’re on an NFL team and it’s only what they see on a Sunday,’ Spadola said. ‘They don’t see behind the scenes guys getting cut and losing jobs every day or the injuries you have to deal with and not tell anyone about for the fear of being cut. The NFL, like everything else, is a money game.’
Being cut is no glamorous process either. A player is simply told to report to a coach’s office with his playbook. Coaches try to sugarcoat the bad news or justify it — ‘It’s not because of your performance. We needed to add depth on defense because of injuries and needed a roster spot, so you’re being released. Thanks for your hard work.’
Once a player is cut, there is a 24-hour dead period when he can be claimed by another NFL team’s active roster. If that period passes, he can be reclaimed by the team that cut him or any other team in the league. If he doesn’t receive a phone call, especially from the team that just released him, he packs up his apartment and goes home.
Teams don’t owe that player anything. They don’t help pay the remaining three months of his lease. They don’t help with relocation fees. Nothing. If a player is fortunate enough to sign with another team, he moves to that city, finds an apartment and is now paying two rents. Not an ideal situation for someone who could make less than $30k a year.
Regardless of the pressures, responsibilities and uncertainties of being a practice squad player, for many, it is the only way they can fulfill their dream of being an NFL player.
‘I take the approach that I’m going to have fun and enjoy the whole process and let everything else fall into place,’ Spadola said. ‘The important thing is controlling what you can control — going out and going play by play.’
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Read Next
The article you shared dives into the less glamorous side of NFL careers, focusing on practice squad players and their roles within the league. Let's break down the concepts and terms used:
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Sponsorship Deals and Commercials: In the NFL, high-profile players like Peyton Manning, J.J. Watt, and Tom Brady often enjoy lucrative sponsorship deals and appear in commercials for brands like Nike and Papa John's Pizza. These endorsem*nts are typically reserved for star players who have achieved significant fame and success in the league.
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NFL Practice Squad: Each NFL team can have up to 10 players on its practice squad. These players practice alongside the 53-man active roster but are not eligible to play on game days unless they are promoted to the active roster.
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Financial Aspect: Practice squad players earn a minimum weekly salary during the 17-week regular season, which is not guaranteed. Their salaries count towards the team's salary cap, and if they are cut from the squad, they may not earn much more than what they've made until that point.
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Responsibilities: Practice squad players have several responsibilities. They help prepare the active roster by mimicking opponents during practice, filling in for active players during drills, and often contributing to special teams.
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Uncertainty and Expendability: Practice squad players face higher turnover rates and are more expendable compared to those on the active roster. They might be released due to various reasons like poor performance, injuries, or changes in coaching staff, and their contracts are not as secure as those of drafted or traded players.
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Challenges and Reality: Being a practice squad player involves dealing with uncertainties, such as the fear of being cut, the pressures of performing well, and the lack of job security or financial stability. Despite these challenges, for many, being on the practice squad is a necessary step toward fulfilling their dream of playing in the NFL.
Aside from NFL-related terms, the article also showcases curated travel experiences across continents, emphasizing unique cultural trips led by local insiders. These trips aim to offer immersive experiences, connecting travelers with local cultures and communities while promoting responsible travel practices. The article suggests that Culture Trip offers a range of premium small-group trips in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips, and Private Trips, catering to various preferences and environmental concerns by curating flightless, fully carbon-offset itineraries.
