GRR: Eagle Men
The story of a man born in France and grows up playing rugby, walks on to the University of Georgia football team, sets an all-time record in sacks, and then goes on to play for the USA rugby team and New England Patriots NFL team is as improbably as the man.
Mike Petri has been at the top of the game since he started playing at Xavier HS.
Captain of a very strong Xavier HS team, Petri went on to captain the USA U19s, Penn State, and the Collegiate All Americans. A smooth passer and an expert defender among scrumhalves, Petri was a winner at every level he played at.
Samu Manoa is one of the most influential American rugby players.
Jone Naqica retired from playing international rugby as the highest-scoring USA player in international 7s.
While that record of 411 points scored has since been broken, it’s still evidence that Naqica was a hugely important player for the USA as its 7s program developed.
Takudzwa Ngwenya came to American from what he described as a very difficult life in Zimbabwe.
He came to attend college in Dallas, and was quickly noticed for speed and ability to break a game open. Green, skinny, shy, he emerged as a seasoned professional with strength as well as pace, and one of the most recognizable personalities in the American game.