Holmes: I’ll give it my all to make it in NFL

VALENTINE Holmes admits he is “risking everything” by walking out on a $5 million NRL contract but insists he has no fears in his bid to become an NFL superstar, declaring: “I’m not planning to fail.”

In his only interview following his bombshell decision to quit the Cronulla Sharks, Holmes said he was so determined to succeed in America there is a chance he may never return to the NRL.

“I am 100 per cent committed to making the NFL,” Holmes said.

“I wouldn’t be risking everything if I didn’t think I could make it.”

The Sharks yesterday reluctantly agreed to release Holmes to pursue his NFL dream on the condition the Queensland Origin star could not play for a rival club if he returned to the NRL next year.

But Holmes has no intention of being an abject failure in America as he attempts to emulate Jarryd Hayne and 150kg monster Jordan Mailata by making the final cut for a 53-man NFL roster.

Three months ago, Cronulla tabled a five-year upgrade worth $5 million hoping to make Holmes a Shark for life.

Instead, the 23-year-old will depart for America in January to train for nothing at the world-famous IMG Academy in Florida – home to the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.

Holmes will enter the program with no concrete guarantee of a formal contract.

His shock defection comes almost two years to the day that Holmes and Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo flew to Los Angeles for the two-hour workout before pro scouts that ignited the Sharks flyer’s American dream.

“It’s the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” he said.

“I’m not scared or nervous, I’m feeling pumped right now.

“Obviously I love rugby league, the Sharks and all of their fans, but for me, this is more to do with the challenge.”