The NFL is so notorious for its cut-throat nature – players in the league are sure the abbreviation stands for Not For Long.
On Friday morning (AEST) it was ex-Wallaby Jordan Petaia‘s turn to get a taste of it after being waived by the Los Angeles Chargers, reportedly due to an injury.
An interview with the 25-year-old aired on Sydney radio station 2GB’s Wide World of Sports on Thursday night, where he spoke of the influence of Jordan Mailata on his own journey and how excited he was to be living the dream he and his late father spoke about.
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However, less than 24 hours later, Petaia’s NFL journey has been derailed by a major hurdle.
US reports state he may return to rugby union after he recovers, because he won’t play NFL in 2025.
Jordan Petaia waived by the Chargers. Getty
Petaia was slated to play in last week’s Hall-of-Fame against Detroit but he never made the field.
The 25-year-old could revert to injured reserve for the Chargers, remaining with the team but not on the 53-man roster of players who are eligible to play, but that is also uncertain.
The nature of Petaia’s injury is unknown at this stage.
Petaia had been with the Chargers since signing with the team in April as part of the International Player Pathway training program.
In his interview with 2GB’s Wide World of Sports, the former Queensland Red pointed to Mailata’s rise as one of the driving factors behind his switch. Mailata was in the South Sydney Rabbitohs junior system before taking a big swing at a future in America.
“I definitely remember being in Australia at the time and watching him make the jump,” he said.
“I was a big fan of that and it was definitely a factor watching him make the jump.
“He came into international camp this year and visited us boys actually after he won the Super Bowl, so it was good to catch up with him and chat with him, become mates with him.
“He said it won’t happen overnight, stay persistent and keep working hard, you know, he had a lot of great messages. He’s a man of great words, so it’s, it was pretty special to have them come to camp and and meet all us boys.
“He gave his number out to the boys, so it’s cool to be able to reach out to him whenever.”
After moving on from Petaia the Chargers signed another Aussie tight end – Thomas Yassmin – as his replacement.
Yassmin, a former Australian schoolboys rugby player, was on the Denver Broncos practice squad in 2024 and will compete for a depth spot in the Chargers tight end room.
Thomas Yassmin was also waived by the Broncos. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Yassmin signed as an undrafted free agent with Denver, before being waived earlier this year.
After a strong 2022 campaign at the University of Utah, the Sydney-born tight end was out injured during his final year of college.
He now has an opportunity to earn a spot on the Chargers’ 53-man roster.
Speaking with ESPN, Yassmin said it was “unfortunate” to take the place of another Australian and his former Australian rugby schoolboys teammate.
“I know Jordan, unbelievable guy, we played Aussie Schoolboys together,” he said.
“I think now with the IPP and how it’s working, there’s a lot of Australian talent. So I think now it’ll be more of a common thing than it was a couple of years ago. I’m blessed the have the opportunity, it is unfortunate, the circumstances, but I’ll take it when I can.”
Yassmin also revealed how his recruitment to the Chargers went down.
“About 48 hours ago I was actually picking up my missus from the airport in Denver. On the way, I get a call from the Chargers saying ‘Hey, so you want to come in for a visit in a few hours?'” he added.
“I looked at her, because we’re doing long distance, but I said I have to take it, so I literally drove her back [home], packed a day bag, drove straight back to the airport, onto a flight and got in at midnight. Woke up early, did my physicals, had a workout, then got the good news.
“[Today] I got thrown in, coaches have been really good, just kind of guiding me. Obviously I have to learn the playbook, but telling me what to do so I can get out there, get some reps in, listen to the calls – it’s been great.”
