Jamaican Olympic discus champion Roje Stona and Australian rugby player Jordan Petaia are making a significant transition to American football as they aspire to join the NFL.
Stona and Petaia are part of a group of 14 athletes chosen for the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. These athletes, hailing from 13 different countries, will undergo 10 weeks of training at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
During this training period, they will acquire both theoretical and practical skills necessary to play American football, culminating in a showcase of their talents at the University of South Florida’s Pro Day event in March, taking place before NFL scouts.
Stona, nearing his 26th birthday in February, clinched the gold medal in men’s discus at the Paris Olympics, where he set an Olympic record with a remarkable throw of 70 meters (229 feet, 8 inches).
On the other hand, Petaia, aged 24, has represented Australia 31 times as a Wallaby and is notable for being the youngest player ever to participate in two Rugby World Cups (2019 in Japan and 2023 in France). He made a significant impact in club rugby while playing for the Queensland Reds, marking his entry into the team as its youngest-ever player back in 2018.
“The choice to leave rugby hasn’t been easy for me and required considerable thought,” Petaia shared. He expressed gratitude towards the Queensland Reds staff, coaches, and teammates for the past seven years, stating that he will always be appreciative of the friendships and experiences gained during his time with these teams.
Petaia noted, “With my age and current circumstances, it feels like the right moment to chase this dream I’ve held for quite some time. I am thankful to everyone involved in the NFL IPP program for granting me this extraordinary opportunity.”
Among other athletes selected for this initiative are Laitia Moceidreke and Laki Tasi from Australia, Janeiro Wakeham from Fiji, Joachim Trouabal and Maceo Beard from France, Leander Wiegand from Germany, Aaron Sexton from Ireland, Nathaniel Salmon from New Zealand, Paschal Ekeji Jr. from Lesotho/Nigeria/South Africa, Dante Barnett from the United Kingdom, Mapalo “Maz” Mwansa from both the United Kingdom and Zambia, and TJ Maguranyanga from Zimbabwe.
Additionally, a select team of international kickers and punters will be joining the broader Class of 2025 in the upcoming weeks.
Since the inception of this program, 41 international players have signed contracts with NFL teams, with 23 currently on active rosters. Notably, Welsh rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit was first with the Kansas City Chiefs and is now part of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad.
Six players have made it onto active rosters: Jordan Mailata from Australia, Jakob Johnson from Germany, Efe Obada from the United Kingdom, Sammis Reyes from Chile, Thomas Odukoya from the Netherlands, and David Bada from Germany.
Mailata stands out as a remarkable success story. Originally an Australian rugby player, he was picked by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 2018 draft. The 6-foot-8, 365-pound athlete has become a key player for the Eagles, earning the role of starting left tackle in 2020 and establishing himself as one of the premier talents at his position.
In a notable development for the upcoming 2024 season, each NFL team will have an additional 17th roster spot specifically designated for an international player on the practice squad. Furthermore, teams are granted the ability to elevate an international practice squad player to the active roster up to three times in a season, providing enhanced chances for these players to develop their skills and potentially compete in games.
Additionally, teams are allotted one training camp roster exemption for a qualifying international player, enhancing their opportunities for growth.