NEW YORK POST
How American football prepares Israeli teens for combat
by Associated Press
December 17, 2015

Under the bright lights, a call of “set, hike” echoes out, followed by the clatter of helmets smashing against pads at a high school football game. But these aren’t American teenagers hoping to play college ball — they are Israelis with an eye on joining elite military combat units. A growing number of native-born Israelis have taken to the army-like strategy, camaraderie and collisions of the gridiron and turned America’s Game, once a niche expat activity, into a popular fixture in the Holy Land. Some 2,000 Israelis now play the game, thanks in large part to the support of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. In the central city of Kfar Saba, the hometown Hawks are Israel’s four-time defending high school champions and their coach, the son of a former Israeli military chief, is churning out nearly as many commandos as victories. READ MORE