It’s hard enough to make the transition to the NFL when you’ve been playing American football for most of your life. For Australian Rugby star turned New York Jets special-teamer Valentine Holmes, that learning curve is on an entirely different level.
After joining the Jets’ roster via the NFL’s International Pathway Program, Holmes now faces the challenge of learning a completely different sport at the world’s highest level, something he’d already proven successful at on the rugby pitch.
Jets running backs coach Jim Bob Cooter sees obvious talent and potential in Holmes, but knows he has a unique challenge heading into training camp (via team senior reporter Eric Allen):
He’s a guy that has some physical ability.