The family of Victorian teenager Archie Wilson say it was “hard to watch” him break down crying during a press conference in America.
The 19-year-old – who is celebrating his birthday on Thursday – has gone viral since vision of his emotional media call aired in the states on Wednesday.
The ProKick Australia graduate is now a freshman at the University of Nebraska and in pursuit of an NFL dream, hoping to one day be a punter in the big league.
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Speaking to reporters in Lincoln on Wednesday, the young star was brought to tears when asked how he was dealing with living abroad and away from his family.
“That part is hard. I mean… I’m sorry,” he said before beginning to cry.
“I love them a lot. I got two little brothers and my mum and dad. That’s the tough part about being here. I love them a lot and I miss them.”
Australian teenager Archie Wilson breaks down in tears. Twitter
Wilson’s father Lee, mother Jessica, and younger brothers Oscar and Lewis watched the heartbreaking scenes from home in Victoria.
They were in America two months ago to drop Archie off at his new college, but have not seen him in the flesh since.
They joined Nine’s Today on Thursday and opened up on the emotional video.
“Rough… it was hard to watch,” the brothers agreed.
Wilson’s dad revealed the teen had actually told his family not to pay attention to the press conference beforehand.
“It happened quickly and it kind of took us all by surprise when we watched it,” Lee said.
“The tears started, there was a bit of a family hug, then we sat in silence and processed it for a bit.
“He sent a message, he’s OK, (he said) ‘ignore the press conference’ before we had watched it, and then we watched it straight away.”
Wilson’s mum admitted it was emotional watching the video, but says her son is doing OK.
“I spoke to him as soon as I woke up yesterday morning. He was absolutely fine,” she said.
“You can see when he walks off at the end of the video he’s fine, he just broke down in those few moments.
“He actually went on to do another hour of press after that and he was fine. They just captured that one moment. He got asked about his family and he clearly misses us, he couldn’t control his emotions.”
Wilson attempted to hide his face in his arm before he eventually composed himself and continued to respond to the reporter’s question.
“They know this is what’s best for me,” Wilson said of his family.
“It’s good I can still talk to them plenty over the phone.
“They’re coming here to see the first few games, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule admitted Wilson was the “most interesting man in the world”, with the Australian talent’s background in Aussie rules coming in handy.
Head coach Matt Rhule of the Nebraska Cornhuskers seen in action in 2024. Getty
Rhule noted Wilson’s ability to kick with both feet was an impressive skill that had him convinced that, even though the young star had never played organised gridiron before, that he would be ready to take on the challenge of college football.
“I’ve never enjoyed punt periods in my life, but it’s my favourite period of practice right now,” Rhule said.
“I just could watch Archie punt all day. I’ve never seen anything like it, so it’s like watching a YouTube short. The guy is amazing.”
Australian punters have been prominent in college football in recent years, with Joe McGuire (Ohio State) and James Rendell (Notre Dame) both featuring in the national championship game last season.
If Wilson is to compete in Nebraska’s first game of the season, he will take to the field at the home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, Arrowhead Stadium.
That match against Cincinnati will kick off at 11am AEST on August 29.
