The Egyptian Federation of American Football collaborated with American Football Without Barriers (AFWB), the non-profit organization spearheaded by Gary Barnidge of the Cleveland Browns and Breno Giacomini of the New York Jets – at the time – to organize a four-day camp in 2016 with professional football players in Egypt. That included a coaching clinic as well as players’ camps for juniors as well as more advanced players.
AFWB selects a country somewhere in the world where they feel they can make a positive impact in the region, both on and off the field. During the NFL offseason, they visit a country with their humanitarian message and organize free football camps. The camp in Egypt in 2016 was very popular, with about 450 players attending the camp each day.
The 10 NFL players joining Barnidge and Giacomini included fellow Browns teammates Alex Mack, Barkevious Mingo, Jordan Cameron and Johnson Bademosi, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, Cooper Helfert and longtime Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams also made the trip to the Middle East. Thomas Keiser and Will Stuvek, NFL linebackers were part of the group, and so was quarterback Colby Cameron. In addition, American coaches already involved in football in Egypt stepped up to help, including Talib Wise, formerly of Austria’s Swarco Raiders.