Many people grow up dreaming of the day they take the field alongside their favorite sports heroes. Few, though, ever get the opportunity.

That once-in-a-lifetime chance recently arrived for a group of young Egyptians.

American football is by far the most popular sport in the United States but not commonly associated with Egypt. That perception is slowly beginning to change.

Last month, a group of 11 current and former NFL players joined 500 eager young athletes on the field at Cairo American College for a day of instruction and fun.

NFL players who made the trip to Cairo included Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge, Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams, Detroit Lions safety Johnson Bademosi, Miami Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron and Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch.

The pros led instruction on proper fundamentals necessary to heighten safety and play the game effectively. Participants were grouped by position and performed drills designed specifically for them.

The NFL players encouraged participants and provided a glimpse at what it takes to make it at the sport’s highest level. Running backs even were privy to the ins and outs of Marshawn Lynch’s “Beast Mode.”

SEE ALSO: Football is taking hold in China

SEE ALSO: Heads Up Football gives Russia a football foundation to build upon

SEE ALSO: Learn more about EFAF and its events at its Facebook page

The free, three-day event was open to players of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced veterans of Egyptian leagues.

“We were amazed by the number of applications we received. It was remarkable,” said Amr Hebo, board a member for Egyptian Federation of American Football (EFAF), which assisted in organizing the event.

More than 1,000 individuals applied, but space was limited.

The foundation of American football in Egypt dates to 2007, when a team that was organized through the Wadi Degla Sporting Club. Since that time, a tight-knit group of dedicated players has continued a collective push to organize the sport in the country.

EFAF was established in December 2014 and is recognized by the International Federation of American Football as the national governing body of the sport in Egypt. The Egyptian League of American football currently has five teams.

The arrival of so many high-profile, professional players was a dream come true for Egyptian athletes.

“I never thought in a million years that I would have something like this happen to me in Egypt, especially in the Middle East where the game is not very big,” said Yousef “Joey” Tharwat, a quarterback for the American University in Cairo Titans.

The event was sponsored by American Football Without Barriers, a non-profit foundation led by Barnidge, Breno Giacomini and Ahmed Awalladah. Barnidge and Giacomini played at the University of Louisville, where Awalladah also attended. The impetus for the foundation sprang from a collective love for the game and a desire to give back.

“We wanted to do something different that we hadn’t seen anybody else do,” Barnidge said. “We wanted to bring the sport that we love to play, football, overseas and introduce it to cultures that people don’t think watch it or know anything about it.”

Giacomini agreed. “Originally, it started out with the thought of us giving something back to the community.”

The professional players did more than just teach football while in Egypt. They also visited local schools to inspire and encourage young children.

On its second day in Cairo, the foundation organized a trip to Cairo’s Children’s Cancer Hospital, one of the premier cancer institutes in region. During the visit, players interacted with children and handed out presents. The evening news carried images of Marshawn Lynch and his big-hearted attempts to elicit laughter and smiles from the children.

The AFWB trip to Egypt was five years in the making, said, Ahmed Awalladah, is originally from Egypt.

“I was all about it,” Barnidge said. “I love the Egyptian history and wanted to be an archeologist, so I said, ‘Let’s do it,’ ”

AFWB also has held clinics in Brazil, China and Turkey, helping football players in those countries jump start their skills.

The Egyptian players showed a strong passion and aptitude for the game, leaving an impression on the NFL players.

“The knowledge of the game, even at a beginner’s level, was really good. Little concepts were explained to them but they got the concepts very quickly. In comparison to some other countries they are definitely a step ahead,” Giacomini said.

The AFWB camp culminated with a scrimmage at the Egyptian National Olympic Center in Maadi on a sunny, wind-swept Saturday afternoon. Players slapped each other’s helmets and shoulder pads during pregame warm ups in a display of excitement. Shouts of exuberance could be heard in the stands.

The once-in-a-lifetime chance had arrived, and the players took full advantage. Numerous big plays were made throughout the scrimmage, leaving participations with indelible memories.

“For me, it was something spectacular, and I am going to cherish the moment for the rest of my life,” Tharwat said.