Jamaican Olympic discus champion Roje Stona and Australian rugby star Jordan Petaia are switching to a new sport, aiming to become NFL players. Stona and Petaia are among 14 athletes selected for the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. The athletes representing 13 nations will train for 10 weeks at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
Roje Stona, of Jamaica, competes in the men’s discus throw final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. Australia’s Jordan Petaia , left, is tackled by Argentina’s Juan Imhoff, during their Rugby Championship match at the Bicentenario stadium in San Juan, Argentina, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. Roje Stona, of Jamaica, competes in the men’s discus throw final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France.
They’ll learn on the field and in the classroom how to play American football before showcasing their skills in front of NFL scouts at the University of South Florida’s Pro Day in March.The 24-year-old Petaia earned 31 caps for Australia as a Wallaby — the youngest player to represent the team in two Rugby World Cups . Petaia played his club rugby for the Queensland Reds, making his debut as their youngest-ever player back in 2018.
Other players selected for the program include Laitia Moceidreke and Laki Tasi , Janeiro Wakeham , Joachim Trouabal , Maceo Beard , Leander Wiegand , Aaron Sexton , Nathaniel Salmon , Paschal Ekeji Jr. , Dante Barnett , Mapalo “Maz” Mwansa and TJ Maguranyanga . Since the NFL began this program, 41 international players have signed with teams and 23 are currently on rosters, includingSix players — Jordan Mailata , Jakob Johnson , Efe Obada , Sammis Reyes , Thomas Odukoya and David Bada — have been on active rosters.
Jordan Petaia Jakob Johnson Leander Wiegand Thomas Odukoya David Bada Kansas City Chiefs Jacksonville Jaguars FL State Wire NFL South Florida Bulls Sports National Football League Sammis Reyes NFL Football Joachim Trouabal Nathaniel Salmon Aaron Sexton Dante Barnett Louis Rees Zammit Efe Obada
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