The NFL has started to use a regional version of its NFL Combine in different cities for lesser known players who did not get an invite to the main one kicking off in Indianapolis this week.
10 different cities around the country will host these smaller combines, from January to March, with the best getting together for a super regional in Dallas in April.
This year will make history, as the first female to participate in such events will kick at the March 2-3 combine in New Jersey according to Around The League.
Lauren Silberman of New York City will participate as a kicker. A club soccer player at Wisconsin, Silberman has taken a different path than your average college kicker. She wrote a Master’s thesis at MIT about how athletes use video games to enhance their own performance. She then founded a consulting company Double Play that helps athletes use video games for virtual training purposes.
“I was not aware that I was the first female registrant,” Silberman told NFL.com on Tuesday. “I was actually hoping that the 2012 historical milestone rule, to allow women to play, would prompt more women to attend tryouts this year. But for me, what’s important is to finally have a chance to fulfill my dreams by trying out to play in the world’s most competitive football league.”
The 28-year-old Silberman will compete against other long shots with who have dreams of kicking field goals in the NFL.
“The opportunity to attend this event could not be more exciting. Getting to meet interesting people and perfect my technique from others could not be more rewarding. … Regardless of the outcome of the tryout, I hope there is a way I can contribute and strengthen the league,” Silberman said