I’m betting he was probably paid more than if he’d played Rugby and got to enjoy the better side of the US as a result. Not a bad ‘break’ if you ask me.
That being said, look forward to seeing him on a rugby pitch again.
🌈 🏳️🌈
Not to be pedantic but he was never going to play a skilled position (wr)
You’re up against Americans who have played pee wee football since they were 5, you just can’t catch up on those years you missed out on.
I think the only way someone could actually make the jump is if there was a 6ft6 world class athlete prop or second row who could jump in and play offensive line.
At least he made it over there and onto a team, a lot of people expected less. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was paid more while on an NFL teams practice squad than he was in a Rugby union first team either.
I wonder if any of that has to do with Americas current immigration policy.
Massive respect to him for trying. I’m a lifelong NFL nut (go Steelers) and to even get reps in a pre-season game is an enormous achievement, I don’t care what anyone says.
The athleticism of an NFL roster player is absolutely off the scale, even way down the depth chart, and especially at the positions he was touted at (RB and PR). When you consider how few college players get drafted and make it onto a roster, you need to be elite amongst the elite. He was competing against guys who have played the sport since they were kids, and had a footballing IQ that you simply can’t just pick up after one season on a practice squad.
Welsh rugby needed a boost, let’s hope this helps
I dare anyone to be cynical about this. He gave it a go and chased his dreams. I’m selfishly glad he’s back but was rooting for his success over there. American football is gaining popularity in the UK so hopefully he can stay connected to the sport in some capacity over here.
Valentine Holmes did not make the 53-man Jets. Roster and you don’t get paid in off season, challenge learning from scratch, change of culture and companionship and long term risk vs return to rugby with decent salary all swayed him to go back to NRL.
Probably not dissimilar challenges to Rees-Zammitt?
In both Union and League, two top talents but given all the above still a far way off so not surprised. Just look at Holmes experience and records or eyeball test of high League highlights so it had to be something unreal to make it? Same with Christian Wade who is now at Wigan league after NFL and Wasps before that.
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Good for hin for trying, respect.
It was worth a punt
Homer was right. Never try.
I’m betting he was probably paid more than if he’d played Rugby and got to enjoy the better side of the US as a result. Not a bad ‘break’ if you ask me.
That being said, look forward to seeing him on a rugby pitch again.
🌈 🏳️🌈
Not to be pedantic but he was never going to play a skilled position (wr)
You’re up against Americans who have played pee wee football since they were 5, you just can’t catch up on those years you missed out on.
I think the only way someone could actually make the jump is if there was a 6ft6 world class athlete prop or second row who could jump in and play offensive line.
At least he made it over there and onto a team, a lot of people expected less. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was paid more while on an NFL teams practice squad than he was in a Rugby union first team either.
I wonder if any of that has to do with Americas current immigration policy.
Massive respect to him for trying. I’m a lifelong NFL nut (go Steelers) and to even get reps in a pre-season game is an enormous achievement, I don’t care what anyone says.
The athleticism of an NFL roster player is absolutely off the scale, even way down the depth chart, and especially at the positions he was touted at (RB and PR). When you consider how few college players get drafted and make it onto a roster, you need to be elite amongst the elite. He was competing against guys who have played the sport since they were kids, and had a footballing IQ that you simply can’t just pick up after one season on a practice squad.
Welsh rugby needed a boost, let’s hope this helps
I dare anyone to be cynical about this. He gave it a go and chased his dreams. I’m selfishly glad he’s back but was rooting for his success over there. American football is gaining popularity in the UK so hopefully he can stay connected to the sport in some capacity over here.
Valentine Holmes did not make the 53-man Jets. Roster and you don’t get paid in off season, challenge learning from scratch, change of culture and companionship and long term risk vs return to rugby with decent salary all swayed him to go back to NRL.
Probably not dissimilar challenges to Rees-Zammitt?
In both Union and League, two top talents but given all the above still a far way off so not surprised. Just look at Holmes experience and records or eyeball test of high League highlights so it had to be something unreal to make it? Same with Christian Wade who is now at Wigan league after NFL and Wasps before that.
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