Jakub Samel: Invitation to the NFL is a result of hard work [INTERVIEW]

Jakub Samel, the Sports Director of the Panthers Wrocław, became the first Polish coach in history to participate in the preparations for an NFL team's season. How did he manage to establish cooperation with the Cleveland Browns? What surprised him the most on-site? And what benefits did his stay in the United States bring him?

Filip Skalski: How did you manage to receive an invitation from an NFL team?

Jakub Samel: It's the result of hard work and perseverance – I've been trying to secure such an internship for over six years. During this time, I sent many letters, numerous emails, and built a network of contacts. You need to have the right achievements and recommendations, which I obtained in part thanks to Gary Kubiak, the former head coach of the Denver Broncos. When I applied at the beginning of this year, I received a response from the Cleveland Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski, who proposed my participation in his team's season preparations.

How were you welcomed in Cleveland?

Very warmly. Everyone in the organization was very open from the beginning and was delighted with my arrival. Nobody, from the staff and logistics personnel to the coaching staff and players, hesitated to talk to me and share their experiences.

How did the NFL stars react to the news that a coach from Poland would be present at their training sessions?

Coach Stefanski introduced me to the team at a meeting right after I arrived on-site. The Browns' players and staff were very excited about my presence; they even gave me applause. They were impressed that I came all the way from Poland after an 18-hour flight to observe and learn from them. They appreciated that I was there and wanted to deepen my knowledge.

So, do the Cleveland Browns – an NFL team – know about the Panthers Wrocław?

Yes, they do. I tried to promote our team and the European League of Football on-site. I showed them our wonderful Olympic Stadium, which they really liked. While in Cleveland, I also watched live games of the Panthers Wrocław against the Vienna Vikings and Berlin Thunder, and some coaches watched them with me. The Browns' coaches weren't surprised that American football is played in Europe, but they were positively amazed by the level of our organization, our playing conditions, and how our games look.

What surprised you the most on-site?

I was positively surprised by the logistics – everything was planned so that players and coaches didn't have to worry about anything. Everything was always prepared, and in case of any problems, no matter how small, there was a team of people on-site who were responsible for support and assistance.

The second thing is the great professionalism of the players and coaching staff. We played a game against the Washington Commanders in which the first-string players had to play only a few plays. Despite this, the players prepared for the game as if it were the most important game of the season. They knew all the plays and opponent's formations, and they conducted thorough scouting of the players they would be facing. They showed me how seriously they approach even a scrimmage in which the first-string players are on the field for only a short time.

You participated in two preseason games – the home game against the Washington Commanders and the away game against the Philadelphia Eagles. What were you doing during these games?

My main task was to observe the work of the coaching staff and collaborate with the offensive line coaches – Bill Callahan, Scott Peters, and Jonathan Decoster. I was with them at all offensive staff meetings and offensive line sessions. Besides that, I had some flexibility in choosing what to focus on, so I also participated in special teams meetings, as well as the entire scouting and coaching staff meetings.

What do game preparations look like in the NFL?

Everything looks completely different from what we have, starting with the number of people traveling to the game. For the game in Philadelphia, a total of 170 people traveled on the plane. All security checks were conducted at the club – in contrast to normal flights. Then, eight buses with a police escort took us directly to the airport tarmac, right next to the plane. In Philadelphia, we disembarked in the same way – straight onto the buses, where everyone immediately received envelopes with keys to their rooms. When we arrived at the destination, everything was already set up.

What can you say about the level of NFL players, observing their game up close?

The combination of size, speed, and strength of these players is simply incredible. This is particularly evident on the offensive and defensive lines. During joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles, I had the opportunity to watch their defensive line, which is considered one of the best in the league. Those were truly fascinating battles. Players go through an extensive selection process to make it to the NFL. They are the best of the best athletes in the United States, and perhaps even in the world, who, despite their immense size, move around the field with great grace and agility.

If you were to mention some lesser-known interesting facts about the NFL?

During games, no electronics are allowed on the sideline – no phones, no smartwatches. Breaking this rule results in a fine of $25,000, so I definitely preferred to leave my smartphone in the locker room.

As for player amenities, there's even a space for a barber in the club building. The barber comes to the club on a given day, and everyone can use his services.

While in Philadelphia, we used the visitor's locker room, where one of the coaches showed me a wall full of autographs from players, coaches, and officials who had played games in Philadelphia. There was, among others, the signature of the Dallas Cowboys owner – Jerry Jones – and the famous wide receiver – Randy Moss.

What did your stay in the USA give you?

Above all, an immense amount of experience and knowledge about how world-class players train and prepare for their games. I saw the seriousness with which they approach their tasks and how focused they are on being the best in their field. I now also understand how the entire coaching staff around them is focused on providing maximum support to each of these players.

Does establishing cooperation with the Cleveland Browns open up any possibilities for your future?

Definitely. While on-site, I managed to build an entirely new network of contacts. American coaches were very impressed with my work. Thanks to this, I gained more football friends, whose knowledge and assistance I will certainly benefit from in the future.