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 attributable to an harm.
An interview with the 25-year-old aired on Sydney radio station 2GB’s Vast 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 living 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 serious hurdle.
US stories state he could 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 last week’s Hall-of-Fame against Detroit however he by no means made the sector.
The 25-year-old may revert to injured reserve for the Chargers, remaining with the workforce 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 workforce in April as a part of the Worldwide Participant Pathway coaching program.
In his interview with 2GB’s Vast World of Sports activities, the previous Queensland Pink 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 soar,” he mentioned.
“I used to be a giant fan of that and it was positively an element watching him make the soar.
“He got here into worldwide camp this 12 months and visited us boys really after he received the Tremendous Bowl, so it was good to meet up with him and chat with him, turn into mates with him.
“He mentioned it will not occur in a single day, keep persistent and preserve working onerous, you recognize, he had a whole 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 every time.”
After shifting on from Petaia the Chargers signed one other Aussie tight finish – Thomas Yassmin – as his alternative.
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 through Getty Photos
Yassmin signed as an undrafted free agent with Denver, earlier than being waived earlier this 12 months.
After a powerful 2022 marketing campaign on the College of Utah, the Sydney-born tight finish was out injured throughout his closing 12 months of school.
He now has a chance to earn a spot on the Chargers’ 53-man roster.
Talking with ESPN, Yassmin mentioned 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 mentioned.
“I believe now with the IPP and the way it’s working, there’s a whole lot of Australian expertise. So I believe 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 am going to take it once I can.”
Yassmin additionally revealed how his recruitment to the Chargers went down.
“About 48 hours in the past I used to be really selecting up my missus from the airport in Denver. On the best way, I get a name from the Chargers saying ‘Hey, so that you wish to are available in for a go to in just a few hours?'” he added.
“I checked out her, as a result of we’re doing lengthy distance, however I mentioned 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 acquired in at midnight. Awakened early, did my physicals, had a exercise, then acquired the excellent news.
“[Today] I acquired thrown in, coaches have been actually good, simply form of guiding me. Clearly I’ve to study 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.”
