How Temple University football player's love of the game brought him from London to the Linc

Temple University football player Peter Clarke, hailing from England, discovered his passion for the sport during his formative years. Clarke recounted, "I really had no idea of American football or what it was. Obviously coming from England, I was a big soccer kid. I'm very involved in that." It wasn't until he learned about the game that he fell in love with it.

Initially, Clarke began playing flag football but soon yearned for more. He expressed, "I was itching to get my hands on some shoulder pads and a helmet as soon as I could."

To satisfy his desire, Clarke enrolled in the NFL Academy in London, an elite high school program designed to mold players into college football prospects. While at the academy, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, disrupting travel plans to scout US college teams. Undeterred, Clarke turned to social media, posting clips of his drills and routes on Twitter, which garnered attention from coaches. This led to summer camps and scholarship offers, setting Clarke on the path to North Broad Street.

Clarke's aspirations extend beyond his present role as a starting tight end for Temple. He envisioned a future where the NFL establishes a permanent team in London, asserting, "I definitely think the U.K. could support a team. You know, they sell out every game, the fans go crazy." Despite the current absence of a London team, Clarke remains committed to Philadelphia, pledging, "I want the Eagles to go over to London, my hometown, and get the win and bring it back. And I'm a stay here and hold down Philly."