Olympic discus champion Roje Stona bidding to win NFL deal via international player pathway
The Jamaican, who set a personal best and Olympic record to win Paris gold, is one of 14 sportsmen joining a 10-week camp to win a contract
Jamaica’s Olympic discus champion Roje Stona is among 14 athletes bidding to win a contract with an NFL team through the American-football organisation’s international player pathway (IPP) programme for 2025.
Stona, who set a personal best and Olympic record of 70.0 metres to capture Paris gold, was invited to rookie camps by the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints in May.
The former University of Arkansas track and field athlete did not play American football competitively at college and the 25-year-old knows making the transition to the sport will not be easy.
“I understand the work it’s going to take,” he told the BBC.
“I’ve done my research. I think a lot can happen in those eight to 10 weeks. I believe there are great coaches who can teach me a lot.
“The goal was to become the best in the world [at discus throwing] and that came in a great time. So after finishing college and thinking back on the year, that’s when I decided I’d pursue my interest in football.”
