Jordan Petaia Leaves Rugby to Join NFL Pathway

Jordan Petaia, a 24-year-old rugby union star, has confirmed his decision to leave rugby and pursue a career in the NFL by joining the International Player Pathway (IPP) program in Florida. The Wallabies and Queensland Reds player expressed gratitude for his rugby experiences, stating that it was the right time to chase his long-held dream of playing American football. Petaia, who has battled injuries throughout his career, aims to showcase his versatility in multiple positions, including wide receiver and tight end, during the January development camp. He has turned down lucrative offers from European rugby and NRL to focus on this opportunity. Petaia's journey follows in the footsteps of other successful athletes like Jordan Mailata and Valentine Holmes, who transitioned from rugby to the NFL. His commitment to this new path comes after a notable career in rugby, where he made 31 appearances for the Wallabies since debuting in 2019.