Kris Durham played for three NFL teams during his four-year (2011-14) career. However, it was the two years he later played overseas that shaped his current career.
Durham spent two seasons a decade ago playing for the Parma Panthers in the Italian Football League.
“It was really a special time in my life,” the 38-year Durham recalls. “I saw a lot of talented players overseas who I told ‘If you grew up where I did, you might have had a shot to play in the States at a certain level—NCAA or at least FCS.”
Durham grew up in Georgia and played wide receiver for the University of Georgia from 2006-2010. He was drafted by the Seahawks on the fourth round in 2011. He later played for the Lions and Titans before going to Italy in 2017.
Durham got involved overseas in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program which helps international football players earn roster spots on NFL practice squads.
That position led him to be named last year as head of the NFL Academy in Loughborough, England. The Academy has sent 40 alumni, who were born outside the U.S., to play college football in our country. More than 20 of them played on the Division 1 level.
The Academy with its diverse roster that includes players from three different continents opened its 2026 game schedule last week when they hosted the visiting Marietta High School (GA) varsity from Durham’s home state. The Academy won 44-24 in a very competitive game.
The Academy functions as a true high school. Student athletes live, practice and study at nearby Loughborough College. The facilities are advanced to the point that several UK Olympic athletes train there year round.
“Everything at the Academy is taught in English,” Durham explains, “because we know that colleges in the states are not going to hire special translators for the players. That is something we preach. They have to process the sports and speak the game of football in English to be able to be successful in getting into an American college.”
At a time when Commissioner Goodell is discussing NFL expansion overseas and the league is playing a record-breaking nine regular season games abroad, the NFL Academy is playing an important role in developing international players for our great sport.
We at NFL Alumni salute Kris Durham and congratulate him for his work on behalf of the league overseas.
