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6h00 by Alicia Méchin
Tourangeau Wilfried Pene is an American football player at the university level. He hopes within a few months to be recruited by the National Football League (NFL).
After being vice-champion of Europe in 2017 with the French junior team, and champion of France in 2018 with the Spartans of Amiens, Wilfried Pene flew to the United States to try the American dream. . His dream is to become a professional player. And for the moment, the stars seem to be aligned for the young Tourangeau…
The beginnings were not easy. 17 years old at the time, Wilfried joined an American high school in Connecticut, and had to face the language barrier. « After a good year and a half, my English improved, I was fluent, he explains to us. And after that, the integration happened naturally. In the United States, if you are good at the sport you do, everyone will respect you. ».
At the end of American high school, Wilfried won a scholarship to play, and study, at Virginia Tech, one of the biggest American universities. This is where the serious stuff begins. The Frenchman gives himself two years to be recruited or “drafted” by the NFL, and become a professional player.
At the top level
And the journey is still long. ” During the season, recruiters will come, watch how you train. And then, as soon as the season is over, we have this phase of preparation for the “combines”. It’s the NFL that invites you to participate in a day of testing. Otherwise, there is what is called the “pro day”. Each university has its “pro day”. And suddenly, coaches and recruiters come to see you. As soon as we have finished the interviews, the tests etc… there is what is called “the draft ». »
Aged 22 today, the Frenchman is therefore at the gates of the high level. If he dreams of playing in the NFL, Wilfried admits not having a favorite team. All he dreams of is ” to be able to shelter (his) family ».
While waiting to be able to tread the mythical American stadiums in turn, he will be able to wait this weekend in front of the grand final of the Superbowl, which will be played on the night of Sunday February 12 to Monday February 13. The Philadelphia Eagles are opposed to the Kansas City Chiefs!
