Aussie rugby league star Holmes tackling NFL dream

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Valentine Holmes was as massive a star in Australia as he could have ever imagined.

The standout winger and fullback for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League was recognized wherever he went, with die-hard fans donning his team’s jersey and wide-eyed youngsters wanting to play just like him.

And then, Holmes stunningly left it all behind.

He headed to the United States for a chance to play American football in the NFL, a decision that angered some of those same fans who once cheered him. But Holmes needed to tackle his dream — no matter what everyone else thought.

“I just felt like I wanted to test myself as a person and an athlete,” the 24-year-old Holmes told The Associated Press. “I wasn’t really thinking about what I was giving up, I guess. It was just that I wanted to chase more.”

Holmes is in training camp with the New York Jets competing for a roster spot as a running back, wide receiver and return specialist.

He’s here — 10,000 miles from home — as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. This summer, all four AFC East teams — the Jets, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots — can carry an international player in camp. It’s a long shot, but players can earn a place on the 53man active roster. If they don’t, they are eligible for a practice squad exemption, meaning they wouldn’t count against the team’s allotment of 10 non-active roster players during the regular season.

Holmes first worked out for NFL scouts in Los Angeles in 2016, and spent three months early this year learning the game at IMG Academy in Florida before joining the Jets in the spring.

“I’d say it’s been kind of like a roller-coaster,” Holmes said. “Obviously, I’ve had some ups and downs. Learning the playbook and getting stuff wrong is not always good, just making mistakes on the field or even in the classroom. And then, also making good plays and making good stops is also a good thing, as well.

“So, yeah, I’m just excited to be here.”

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Holmes has been working in the backfield with the likes of Le’Veon Bell, Ty Montgomery and Bilal Powell, catching passes and also returning punts — doing whatever he can to stand out.

Holmes has shown flashes in recent days after a back ailment limited him early in camp. He had a 50-yard touchdown catch in a drill Monday that had his teammates fired up.

“He’s picking up the offense,” Jets coach Adam Gase said. “That hasn’t really been his issue. It’s just when everything starts moving super-fast, he’s trying to get used to that and I think it’s starting to work for him. It’s slowing down for him and I think it just keeps slowing down.

“I’m excited to see him get to play in some games and just kind of see how he reacts to all that.”

Holmes might get that chance Thursday night in the Jets’ preseason opener against the Giants.