Christian Wade has taken the next key step in his rugby to NFL journey
Former England wing Christian Wade has reached the next key stage of his transformation from rugby union star to an American football player by putting on the extensive padding players wear to try and avoid the massive hits in the National Football League.
The Buffalo Bills rookie admitted the extra protection gave him a feeling of “invincibility”.
Wade is attempting to make the massive sporting leap from rugby union to become an NFL running back as part of the league’s international player pathway project.
The former Wasps wing claimed that the first contact training with the Bills took the challenge to a new level.
Wade told News10NBC: “It has been a hell of an experience so far and this training camp has gone up a level with a bit of contact and getting used to the running plays and being hit with the pads on.
Everyone on the @BuffaloBills training camp roster has a different background that's led them to the NFL, but RB @ChristianWade3 might take the cake….or scone…for most unique! Here's how the former rugby star is enjoying his first days in football pads.👇🏽 @news10nbc @NFLUK pic.twitter.com/wAzgyFblVe
— Breland Moore (@BrelandFOX29) July 28, 2019
“I’m used to not wearing pads so I know what it feels like to get hit but with the pads, you almost feel a bit more invincible I guess. That’s why it is so much harder.”
The former international is still trying to take in all of the information needed to understand the playbook used by the Bills offence and to recognise his part in the system.
He has been helped by veteran players on the Bills squad who have taken time to help the rookie get used to a new sport.
He added: “The hardest part as definitely been the amount of information I have to take on board, digest and then bring onto the field, maybe the same day.
“The physical side is demanding as we’re going 100 per cent on every play with no rest sometimes. In rugby, it was more of an on-going game and slower-paced.
He's never played football, but he's willing to risk it all. ✊
How @ChristianWade3 gave up everything for his NFL dream: https://t.co/0gDnxALURS pic.twitter.com/cWNumA0UeY
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) June 20, 2019
“There are guys who have had multiple years in the league and also the other guys have five to six years, so there is lots of experience and it’s great for me to learn from those guys even if it is off the field stuff.
“Any little things I can pick their brains and they are all really helpful, which is great. This first training camp has been so much fun.”
WATCH: The latest RugbyPass documentary, Foden – Stateside, looks at how ex-England international Ben Foden is settling into Major League Rugby in New York
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments