Walk With TFB Timothy F. Bryson

During this walk, Timi explains what it means to be a British-Nigerian playing American football.

Born in London and from Nigerian descent, Timi played global football (soccer) his entire life. After watching Super Bowl LVI between the Rams and Bengals, he became intrigued with the sport.

His mom's encouragement was the final push. Timi decided to pivot away from soccer and learn American football.

In 2022, Timi enrolled at the NFL Academy. Founded in 2019, the NFL Academy is “a global initiative by the NFL, which aims to use American football to create life-changing opportunities for young people all around the world.” The Academy is THE international athlete pathway to compete as an NCAA college athlete.

His story has been covered by ESPN and Sky Sports, but during this episode Timi gets to share his story with his own words.

Discussion points:


Timi's commitment to being a STUDENT-athlete
Timi's career plans alongside NFL aspirations
Growth of American football in the U.K.
International athlete recruiting process
Future of NFL Academy talent in the NCAA
Big 10 stadiums Timi is looking forward to competing in

Timi is trilingual but throughout this episode he speaks his truth.

Buy stock in the NFL Academy now. International football athletes are coming to the NCAA. Timi and others are leading the way.

Instagram: @TimiOke

Blog: NFL Academy, International Football Athlete Pathway to NCAA


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During this walk, Tim shares why Walk With TFB isn't just another podcast, business, or community.

Discussion points:


Thanks community for continuing to stand and walk with Tim throughout evolution of Walk With TFB
Overviews recent trips to London, Paris, and Casablanca
Recaps "The Next 90" recap!
Highlights Walk With TFB's unique gifts
2024 Internationalization and Athletics Summit

IG: ⁠@WalkWithTFB⁠

Sign up for Walk With TFB newsletter


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During this walk, Maria Jose (MJ) talks to us about the Pittsburgh Steelers international content strategy.

An Honduras native, MJ graduated from Texas Christian University (TCU). While at TCU, she became enamored with American football and was eager to work in sport. Soon after her first football game, she secured her first internship with TCU athletics and the rest was history.

MJ currently serves as the International Content Manager for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In her role, she is responsible for contributing to the Steelers' global expansion strategy through engagement on social platforms. Through the NFL's International Home Marketing Areas (IHMA) program, the Steelers have marketing rights in Mexico, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.

Discussion points include:


Detailing the role of an NFL international content manager
Strategy to attract and engage global Steelers fan base
NFL's International Home Marketing Areas (IHMA) program
American football globalization and community engagement
Favorite international content and experiences
College sport globalization and future directions

NFL globalization does not happen by osmosis. Humans dictate what happens and how it happens.

The NFL named her a "Next Woman Up," but we argue that she's already arrived.

Phenomenal episode in English. Part two will be in Spanish.

Muchas gracias, Maria Jose!

Connect with MJ on LinkedIn

Follow: Los Steelers on Instagram (Steelers Mexico)

Follow: Steelers Deutschland on Instagram (Steelers Germany)


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During this walk, Amari shares how we can support NCAA Native America college athletes.

A Louisville native, Amari is a two-time graduate of The Ohio State University. After earning her Bachelor’s in Business and working corporate, Amari returned to school to earn her Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs and learn how she can best support Native American student-athletes.

Land acknowledgements are the bare minimum. Amari’s work moves beyond requirements and explores how college athletic administrators can create environments conducive to the holistic development of Native American college athletes.

This episode is one for every stakeholder connected to the NCAA ecosystem.


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During this walk, Dr. Jessica Murfree speaks to us about how sport can be used as a tool to understand climate change.

A Georgia native, Dr. Murfree has attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill to pursue a her life long dreams to become a veterinarian. After learning she was no longer experiencing joy in academic study, she changed her major, told her parents "just watch, I'll show you," and pivoted her focus to pursue a career in sports.

During graduate school, she discovered that she can combine her love for both sport and the natural environment through the study of sport ecology. She earned her doctoral degree from the University of Louisville and has not looked back.

Dr. Murfree is a sport ecologist, researcher, and professor who studies how people come to know the realities of climate change through sport. A Forbes 30 under 30 recipient, she has been invited to speak, train, and teach all over the world, most recently the 2023 Sport Positive Summit in London. She lso went to the Falcons v Jaguars game in the U.K.

Discussion points during the episode include:


How are we raising questions about the environment during diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conversations?
Environmental sustainability: What are the policies, initiatives, and ideas being shared? Who are the beneficiaries?
Franchise relocation as an environmental adaptation strategy (e.g, potentially the Jacksonville Jaguars)
Social justice issues with deep roots of environmental racism (e.g. Black folks relationship with water)
What are our individual roles to help protect the planet? How can sport be used to drive and facilitate conversations and initiatives right now?

We get one planet. Let's protect it. Leveraging sport will help. Let's walk.

Dr. Murfree's website: https://www.jessicamurfree.com


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During this walk, Tatyana shares why Saudi Arabia has earned a seat at the global sport table.

Originally from Saudi Arabia, Tatyana grew up in the Atlanta area and graduated from Georgia State University. While at GSU, she gained meaningful work experience through several internships, including ne with the Saudi E-Sports Federation.

Her knowledge about sport globalization and higher education internationalization is impeccable. During this episode, she clearly communicates how globalization has shaped Saudi Arabia's influence in global sport as well as the impact of internationalization on international student mobility and virtual exchange through e-sports.

Topics we discuss on this walk include:


Saudi Arabia's influence in LIV and F-1
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Purpose and culture of sport in Saudi Arabia
Relationship between religion and sport
Sport as a vehicle for diplomacy and humanization

"You can't have sport without the world."

Tatyana reminds us who we are, what we do, and where we are going.


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