The conversion from rugby to football has been challenging in previous instances. At the pinnacle of their rugby careers, Jarryd Hayne and Christian Wade decided to venture into American football on the gridiron. However, neither succeeded in establishing a lasting presence in the sport.

Louis Rees-Zammit, a former Welsh international, will attempt to succeed with the Kansas City Chiefs this season after transitioning to a different sport earlier this year.

Nevertheless, notable instances of achievement exist. Jordan Mailata has emerged as one of the premier offensive linemen in the NFL, showcasing his prowess on the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line following his transition from rugby league.

Why The Bills Picked A Player In NFL Draft Who Has Never Played Football: He’s 6-Foot-7 And Runs A 4.79 Second 40-Yard Dash

On Saturday, the Buffalo Bills selected a player they anticipated would have a comparable impact to Mailata, even though he has never participated in a football game.

The Bills chose Travis Clayton, a former rugby player from the United Kingdom, as the 221st overall pick and the first pick of the seventh round.

Clayton, from Basingstoke in England, is among the 16 participants in this year’s International Player Pathway program. The NFL facilitates this program, which offers athletes from various countries the opportunity to strive for a place in the league.

Clayton needs to gain experience in football games, but he possesses the inherent abilities that could enable him to excel as an offensive tackle in the professional league.

He is 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 303 pounds. Additionally, he can run a 40-yard dash in a remarkable 4.79 seconds.

“His physical attributes are truly exceptional,” commented Bills general manager Brandon Beane.

Why The Bills Picked A Player In NFL Draft Who Has Never Played Football: He’s 6-Foot-7 And Runs A 4.79 Second 40-Yard Dash

Clayton played for the Basingstoke Rugby Club, which competes in the Counties 2 Hampshire Division, the eighth level of English rugby.

The team expressed their congrats to Clayton on X, formerly referred to as Twitter, upon his selection in the draft, stating: “BUFFALO SOLDIER!!” Travis Clayton, our representative, was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the draft. Being proud doesn’t capture the extent of my feelings. Located on the NFL map, Basingstoke is a prominent city. Trav, go and excel!

Despite his scant expertise in the game, Clayton knows his rugby background will facilitate his transfer to a new sport.

“Being a team sport, rugby greatly enhances my understanding of teamwork and effective communication, which I believe will be beneficial not only in my current situation but also in my future endeavors, particularly in the NFL,” Clayton expressed. “Playing as a wing in rugby is particularly beneficial for developing physicality, agility, and related skills.”

According to NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein, Clayton’s success in the league will rely on his resilience and a team’s capacity to provide sufficient opportunities to improve his skills, considering his lack of experience.

Why The Bills Picked A Player In NFL Draft Who Has Never Played Football: He’s 6-Foot-7 And Runs A 4.79 Second 40-Yard Dash

Despite obvious flaws, Zierlein acknowledges Clayton’s positive attributes, describing him as an “exceptional athlete with a wingspan of seven feet” who demonstrates smooth and agile movements with seamless changes in direction.

SOURCE – (CNN)

The event will be held in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Lionel Messi netted two goals, captivating a record-breaking crowd of New England Revolution supporters, and propelled Inter Miami CF to a resounding 4-1 triumph on Saturday evening.

Messi impressed the crowd of 65,612 at Gillette Stadium by scoring a goal with his left foot from a long distance inside the penalty area. This was his ninth goal of the season, which occurred in the 68th minute, breaking the 1-all deadlock.

Lionel Messi Gets 2 Goals In Front Of Record New England Crowd As Miami Beats Revolution 4-1

Indeed, he also achieved a minor historical milestone. Miami said on social network X that he holds the distinction of becoming the inaugural player in MLS history to contribute 16 goals in the first seven games of a season.

He has been doing it consistently throughout his entire life. “We anticipate this behavior from him,” stated teammate Benjamin Cremaschi, who successfully scored the third goal following Messi’s blocked shot. He effortlessly demonstrates proficiency.” We are pleased to have him on our team. Whenever he is presented with a chance, he seizes it.

The attendance surpassed the previous record of 61,316, set when the LA Galaxy defeated the Revolution in the 2002 MLS championship.

During the first half, he positioned himself a short distance inside the penalty area and successfully scored with a left-footed kick, resulting in a 1-1 tie in the 32nd minute.

“In the first half, following our goal, I believed that we had effectively contained them,” stated Caleb Porter, the coach of New England. “They were not receiving ample opportunities, nor were they being granted sufficient time and freedom to execute their actions.” Messi then demonstrated his typical skill and ability by identifying a weakness or vulnerability.

Lionel Messi Gets 2 Goals In Front Of Record New England Crowd As Miami Beats Revolution 4-1

Amidst a match between the top-ranked Miami team in the Eastern Conference and the bottom-ranked Revolution team, the 36-year-old who won the 2022 World Cup scored a goal, resounding cheers reverberating throughout the bleachers.

Cremaschi and Luis Suarez scored goals toward the end of the match for Miami. Messi was attributed with an assist on Suarez’s goal.

In the opening minute, the Revolution took a 1-0 lead as Tomas Chancalay skillfully evaded a defender and executed a shot over the charging netminder, Drake Callender.

Despite the presence of the Celtics and Bruins, both local winter professional teams are now competing in the playoffs. Much of the focus in the sports world this week was around Messi’s arrival.

Hundreds of fans, primarily children, donning the pink Miami Messi shirt, entered the stadium approximately 90 minutes before the match.

Once the stadium was filled, they were readily seen amidst the crowd.

Among the items, a few of the Messi No. 10 Argentina shirts, which featured white and blue stripes, were intermingled among the items.

“I am filled with great enthusiasm,” expressed Stacy Mills, a 31-year-old itinerant healthcare professional from East Tennessee, who was donning one of the Argentina jerseys featuring Messi.” “I have been a follower of his career since playing with Barcelona.”

Her buddy, Caleadia Jessup, 53, a travel nurse from Fayetteville, North Carolina, was equally proud to display her Messi Argentina jersey.

Lionel Messi Gets 2 Goals In Front Of Record New England Crowd As Miami Beats Revolution 4-1

“I trailed him during his participation in the World Cup representing his home nation,” she remarked, beaming.

Many children had the opportunity to witness a renowned soccer player at the previous residence of Tom Brady, who is widely regarded as the greatest of all time in the NFL. Brady achieved the impressive feat of winning six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.

“I have been engaged in playing since my early years.” “The Miami star is my favorite player,” stated Cameron Howell, a 14-year-old from Halifax, Massachusetts.

SOURCE – (AP)

Candace Parker has expressed her certainty in recognizing the appropriate moment to retire. The day in question occurred on a Sunday.

The individual who has won the Women’s National Basketball Association championship three times and has achieved the Olympic gold medal twice, said on social media that her professional career has come to an end after a span of 16 seasons.

“The innate drive for competition within me always yearns for an additional opportunity, but the present circumstances dictate otherwise,” Parker expressed in a post on Instagram. “My heart and body were aware, but I required time for my mind to acknowledge and embrace it.”

Parker, aged 38, expressed to The Associated Press in November her desire to continue playing for another season, contingent upon her recovery from a foot injury that prevented her from participating in the previous season. However, she emphasized her desire to maintain integrity and not deceive the game or herself. She reiterated this sentiment when she announced her retirement before the Aces’ pursuit of a third consecutive championship. Parker has undergone a total of 10 surgical procedures over her professional career.

Candace Parker, A 3-Time WNBA Champion And 2-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Announces Retirement

“I made a commitment to never engage in dishonest behavior in the game and to contribute to its improvement during my involvement.” “I have always desired to leave the court without any public celebration or tour, but rather in a private manner with my loved ones,” she expressed. As my final game approached, I left the court accompanied by my daughter. I concluded the excursion in the same manner that I commenced it, alongside her.

Parker spent her initial 13 seasons in the league exclusively with the Los Angeles Sparks, where she quickly asserted her superiority as the top pick, earning both the Rookie of the Year and league MVP titles in her debut season. Parker was the sole WNBA player to achieve this accomplishment, maintaining an average of 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. Her contributions aided the Sparks in achieving a 10-win improvement in 2008.

Parker received her second Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade in 2013 and achieved her first championship victory in 2016 as a member of the Sparks team. She subsequently won her second championship with the Chicago Sky in 2021, then her third with the Las Vegas Aces the season before. She holds the unique distinction of being the sole player in the history of the league to achieve a championship victory with three distinct teams.

Candace Parker, A 3-Time WNBA Champion And 2-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Announces Retirement

The Aces expressed in a statement that Candace Parker has left a lasting impact on women’s basketball fans, and her contributions to the game go beyond her achievements and statistical records. “In her roles as a teammate, mentor, mother, wife, baller, broadcaster, and businesswoman, she has served as a source of inspiration for numerous young individuals, regardless of gender, encouraging them to pursue and accomplish their aspirations.”

Parker was a member of the Tennessee basketball team that won the national title in 2007 and 2008 under the coaching of the late Pat Summitt. Afterwards, she departed with one year of eligibility still available.

She achieved Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012, but was unexpectedly excluded from the 2016 team.

“Undoubtedly, Candace has had a remarkable career.” “I feel somewhat melancholic about it because I enjoy competing against her, considering the legendary status she possesses,” stated Breanna Stewart, the top player of the Liberty team. “Her accomplishments both on and off the court have been remarkable for our league.” I deeply value and acknowledge all the assistance she has provided in enabling me to reach my current position. We will certainly feel her absence throughout this season.

Sandy Brondello, the coach of the Liberty team, trained Parker in Russia for several winters.

She is a pioneer or innovator. Brondello expressed admiration for the remarkable individual and her contributions to the sport. ‘I hope it is commemorated with joy and recognition. I hold her in high esteem. The children developed alongside each other during my tenure as a coach in Russia. It is really melancholic. It is universally understood when the appropriate moment has arrived.

Candace Parker, A 3-Time WNBA Champion And 2-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Announces Retirement

Parker commenced her career in broadcasting while she was still actively involved in her playing profession. She has served as an analyst for the NCAA Tournament with CBS Sports and NBA TV.

In July 2023, she underwent foot surgery and informed the AP that she still experienced pain at the end of the previous year.

“This offseason has been unpleasant due to a non-compliant foot,” she stated in her Sunday post. “My life’s purpose, as Pat Summitt always emphasized, is to relentlessly pursue both people and passions, ensuring that I will never experience failure.” Being a wife and mother continues to be my top concern, and I have come to realize that time passes quickly. Therefore, I intend to fully embrace and cherish my family.

SOURCE – (AP)