Kiwi Ellison now a Giant in the tough land of the NFL
With a first child on the way in November and complicated new playbook to master, change is everywhere in Rhett Ellison’s world.
California-born Ellison, who spent three years in Christchurch before moving back to the United States aged eight, is gearing up for his sixth season in the National Football League (NFL), which begins next month.
After five years with the Minnesota Vikings, the 28-year-old tight end signed a four-year US$18 million (NZ$26m) deal with the New York Giants in March with US$8m fully guaranteed - meaning he will be paid it even if the Giants cut ties with him before the end of his contract.
That might seem small compared to the NFL’s leading quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs, but comfortably places Ellison among the top 10 highest paid Kiwi athletes. NBA centre Steven Adams earns about NZ$35m a year with the Oklahoma City Thunder placing him top of the tree.
For someone who was unsure if he would be selected in the 2012 draft, Ellison has established himself in a cut-throat league, where the average career span is just over three years.
Having torn the patellar tendon in his right knee during the final game of the 2015 season, an injury that sidelined him for six months, Ellison, who is 1.96m and 113kg, knows one hit can bring early retirement.
Ellison appeared in 73 games over five seasons for the Vikings, becoming just the third New Zealander to play in the NFL after his Christchurch-born father Riki, a three-time Super Bowl winner with the San Francisco 49ers, and Papakura-raised guard David Dixon, another former Viking.
He was chased by the Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, but the chance to team up alongside star quarterback Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl winner and two-time Super Bowl MVP, steered him to the Big Apple.
Speaking to Stuff after a training session, Ellison was adjusting to his fresh surroundings.
‘‘There’s always nerves. It’s almost like going from high school to college. You don’t know anybody. You’ve got to start over and build your respect again and the trust of your team-mates. You’ve got to start from scratch.’’
His wife, Raina, is due to give birth to the couple’s first child in November and they had settled into the affluent Bergen County area of New Jersey, about 20 minutes drive from the Giants’ MetLife Stadium headquarters.
He said the Giants organisation strived for perfection in everything they did.
Ellison was becoming better accustomed to the Giants’ system and team-mates with each training session. Switching teams for the first time in his NFL career was a challenging, yet rewarding experience.
‘‘It’s kind of like learning a new language. There’s always challenges because you’re used to playing a certain system and knowing that system so well you get comfortable in it.’’
Ellison wore Giant blue for the first time last Saturday in a 20-12 opening pre-season loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He earned positive reviews from New York media and is projected to start at tight end, a versatile offensive position, whose core roles are to block the defence, but also catch passes.
Ellison could be another offensive option for gun signal caller Manning, now 36, who is desperate to capture a third Super Bowl in the last stage of his illustrious career.
‘‘I hope so,’’ Ellison said when asked whether he could offer Manning a receiving threat. ‘‘It also depends on the situation and what the coaches want me to do.’’
Being around Manning at training and picking his brain on all things football, had only reinforced to Ellison what a classy operator the 13-year pro was. Manning’s retired older brother, Peyton, is among the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks in history, also capturing two Super Bowls.
‘‘You can really trust [Eli Manning] because he’s seen it. He’s going to put you in the best position to win because that’s what he wants.
‘‘Anything he says is like gold. You really have to take it in. What’s cool is he’s constantly getting better every day too. He’s not resting on his laurels. He’s trying to get that third Super Bowl.’’
Despite being domiciled Stateside for almost his whole life, Ellison hasn’t forgotten his New Zealand links.
He is the grandnephew of the first All Blacks captain Thomas Ellison, while his cousins are onetime All Black Tamati Ellison and former Super Rugby and NPC prop Jacob Ellison.
Ellison last visited New Zealand in 2015 and tries to keep an eye on the All Blacks when the schedule and time zone permits.
His guilty pleasure is hokey pokey icecream, something he can’t get in the US and remains proud of his Maori ancestry.
Attending Christchurch’s St Andrew’s College from the age of five to seven (1993-1995) after his father briefly brought the family home, he fondly recalled impromptu lunchtime rugby games.
‘‘I had to learn to tie my tie before I tied my shoes [at St Andrew’s], so that was interesting.
‘‘I remember the first time going out there [to play rugby] and throwing it forward. Everyone was looking at me like I was crazy.’’
Ellison is open to the possibility of one day running American Football coaching workshops in New Zealand in the off-season, much like Adams does with basketball.
Many Kiwi schoolboy rugby players had the size and athleticism to succeed in gridiron, but understanding the sport and its many intricacies is another matter.
Ellison said those skills could be developed at college level in the States if players were capable enough to attract attention and secure a scholarship.
The Giants open the NFL regular season away to NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, on September 10.