World Footy News

Matt Thompson from the www.afl.com.au website reports on life after the AFL for one of the recent American recruits to the AFL. The story certainly gives a small idea of how one player gave our game a shot and when things didn’t fully pan out, another career awaited.

FORMER North Melbourne international rookie Eric Wallace has signed on with American NFL side Carolina Panthers.

The North Carolina local spent three years on the Kangaroos list, but failed to play a senior game.

Wallace – nicknamed 'The Beast' – has earned a spot on the Panthers 90-man roster in the position of tight end.

 

"I grew up a Carolina fan," the 27-year-old told the Panthers website. "Today, the dream came true." 

"Coming back, the decision was whether I'd play basketball again or continue along the football path and put pads on again," Wallace said. 

"It's surreal," he said.

"I have size – you can't really teach size – and speed. I'm faster than I look. I'm a smooth athlete, pretty good with my hands." 

Wallace revealed his decision to originally try out at the AFL US Combine was the offer of free flights. 

"I was like, ‘It's a free trip to L.A. Why notω' " Wallace said. 

"Out of about 35 of us, three of us got invited to the real combine in Melbourne, Australia. Out of those three, North Melbourne signed me."

In the interview with his new club's website, Wallace also explained his role as a ruckman in Australian football. 

"The big guy who enforces things, kind of like a basketball centre," he said. 

"It's a very physical sport, with no pads. It's fast-paced, non-stop like basketball. Guys are clearing half-marathon numbers during a game. It's also highly skilled. Everybody has to be able to kick, run, catch. 

"It's a different physicality. The AFL is more free flow where you've got a man and you guard him. The NFL, it's more head-to-head, trying to stop a 270-pound man running at you."

Carolina reached the Super Bowl earlier this year, losing to the Denver Broncos.

Original story at: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-26/former-kangaroo-rookie-eric-wallace-signs-for-nfl-team