(Reuters) – Jamaica’s Olympic discus champion Roje Stona is among 14 athletes bidding to win a contract with an NFL team through the American football organisation’s international player pathway (IPP) programme for 2025.
Stona, who won gold at the Paris Games with a throw of 70 metres, was invited to rookie minicamps by the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints in May.
The former University of Arkansas track and field athlete did not play American football competitively at college and the 25-year-old knows making the transition to the sport will not be easy.
“I understand the work it’s going to take,” he told the BBC.
“I’ve done my research. I think a lot can happen in those eight to 10 weeks. I believe there’s great coaches who can teach me a lot.
“The goal was to become the best in the world (at discus throw) and that came in a great time. So after finishing college and thinking back on the year, that’s when I decided I’d pursue my interest in football.”
The 14 athletes from Fiji, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe will go on a 10-week training camp in Florida in January before trying to impress NFL scouts in March.
Wallabies centre Jordan Petaia said last week he is stepping away from rugby union to pursue an NFL deal via the IPP.
Since its launch in 2017, 41 athletes from around the world have joined NFL teams through the programme. Six players, including Australia’s Jordan Mailata (Philadelphia Eagles), are currently active on NFL rosters.
(Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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