The NFL is so infamous for its cut-throat nature – gamers within the league are certain the abbreviation stands for Not For Lengthy.
On Friday morning (AEST) it was ex-Wallaby Jordan Petaia‘s flip to get a style of it after being waived by the Los Angeles Chargers, reportedly as a result of an harm.
An interview with the 25-year-old aired on Sydney radio station 2GB’s Huge World of Sports activities on Thursday evening, the place he spoke of the affect of Jordan Mailata on his personal journey and the way excited he was to be dwelling the dream he and his late father spoke about.
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Nonetheless, lower than 24 hours later, Petaia’s NFL journey has been derailed by a significant hurdle.
US experiences state he might return to rugby union after he recovers, as a result of he will not play NFL in 2025.
Jordan Petaia waived by the Chargers. Getty
Petaia was slated to play in final week’s Corridor-of-Fame in opposition to Detroit however he by no means made the sector.
The 25-year-old might revert to injured reserve for the Chargers, remaining with the group however not on the 53-man roster of gamers who’re eligible to play, however that can also be unsure.
The character of Petaia’s harm is unknown at this stage.
Petaia had been with the Chargers since signing with the group in April as a part of the Worldwide Participant Pathway coaching program.
In his interview with 2GB’s Huge World of Sports activities, the previous Queensland Crimson pointed to Mailata’s rise as one of many driving elements behind his swap. Mailata was within the South Sydney Rabbitohs junior system earlier than taking a giant swing at a future in America.
“I positively bear in mind being in Australia on the time and watching him make the bounce,” he stated.
“I used to be a giant fan of that and it was positively an element watching him make the bounce.
“He got here into worldwide camp this yr and visited us boys truly after he received the Tremendous Bowl, so it was good to meet up with him and chat with him, change into mates with him.
“He stated it will not occur in a single day, keep persistent and preserve working onerous, you understand, he had quite a lot of nice messages. He is a person of nice phrases, so it is, it was fairly particular to have them come to camp and and meet all us boys.
“He gave his quantity out to the boys, so it is cool to have the ability to attain out to him each time.”
After transferring on from Petaia the Chargers signed one other Aussie tight finish – Thomas Yassmin – as his substitute.
Yassmin, a former Australian schoolboys rugby participant, was on the Denver Broncos follow squad in 2024 and can compete for a depth spot within the Chargers tight finish room.
Thomas Yassmin was additionally waived by the Broncos. Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos
Yassmin signed as an undrafted free agent with Denver, earlier than being waived earlier this yr.
After a powerful 2022 marketing campaign on the College of Utah, the Sydney-born tight finish was out injured throughout his ultimate yr of faculty.
He now has a chance to earn a spot on the Chargers’ 53-man roster.
Talking with ESPN, Yassmin stated it was “unlucky” to take the place of one other Australian and his former Australian rugby schoolboys teammate.
“I do know Jordan, unbelievable man, we performed Aussie Schoolboys collectively,” he stated.
“I feel now with the IPP and the way it’s working, there’s quite a lot of Australian expertise. So I feel now it’s going to be extra of a typical factor than it was a few years in the past. I am blessed the have the chance, it’s unlucky, the circumstances, however I will take it after I can.”
Yassmin additionally revealed how his recruitment to the Chargers went down.
“About 48 hours in the past I used to be truly selecting up my missus from the airport in Denver. On the way in which, I get a name from the Chargers saying ‘Hey, so that you wish to are available in for a go to in a number of hours?'” he added.
“I checked out her, as a result of we’re doing lengthy distance, however I stated I’ve to take it, so I actually drove her again [home], packed a day bag, drove straight again to the airport, onto a flight and obtained in at midnight. Awakened early, did my physicals, had a exercise, then obtained the excellent news.
“[Today] I obtained thrown in, coaches have been actually good, simply type of guiding me. Clearly I’ve to be taught the playbook, however telling me what to take action I can get on the market, get some reps in, hearken to the calls – it has been nice.”
