NFL: Seydou Traore's journey to Miami Dolphins draft pick
Seydou Traore has become the first graduate of the NFL Academy in England to be drafted into the NFL by the Miami Dolphins. His journey from south London to the US professional league highlights the success of the NFL's international development programs.
Why it matters
This milestone validates the NFL's strategy to expand its talent pool and fan base internationally through dedicated development academies.
The phone call that made Briton an NFL trailblazer
Image source, Getty Images By Ben Collins BBC Sport Journalist Seydou Traore has been waiting four hours for the phone call that will change his life. When it comes, he is the picture of calm. Next to him, his mum Zaia is anything but.
Traore and his family are sitting backstage at the NFL Draft, where the 23-year-old Briton - who did not see his loved ones for five years after moving to the US to try to become an NFL player - has just been told his dream is coming true.
Zaia, who is French-Algerian, lets out a 'zaghrouta' - a celebratory trilling sound that is traditional in north Africa - sheds tears of joy and has an out-of-body experience in a reaction that goes viral.
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