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Christian Wade: NFL recruit from Wasps says American football is 'mountain to climb'

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments46

Christian Wade
Wade spent seven years with Wasps

Former England wing Christian Wade says he has a "mountain to climb" as he embarks on a career in NFL.

The 27-year-old is third in the all-time Premiership try-scorers list with 82, but won only one England cap, on a tour of Argentina in 2013.

This week Wasps released Wade from his contract to allow him to pursue a career in American football.

"There's so much to learn in such a small space of time," said Wade, who now joins the NFL's Player Pathway.

The scheme allows one extra practice squad spot for a foreign-born development player and has been used by the likes of Australian former rugby league player Jordan Mailata, who is in London this weekend as a Philadelphia Eagles player.

"It's something that I don't take lightly," Wade said. "I'm going to be starting my training regime literally next week and it's a huge mountain to climb.

"There's some phenomenal athletes but I believe in my skills and hopefully I'm good enough.

"It's been a very difficult decision for me, giving up my career in rugby.

"Wasps have been so incredible to me - they've looked after me from the age of 16 all the way up to now and the fans have been great, the RFU has been great as well."

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46 comments

  • Comment posted by TheLastKingOfEngland, at 10:33 29 Oct 2018

    19 hours in, and I think I'm going to be the first one to comment. Perhaps the draw of the NFL isn't as much as the BBC seems to think?

  • Comment posted by TheLastKingOfEngland, at 11:20 29 Oct 2018

    @4 And good luck to you, and I hope you enjoy it. I don't mind watching American Football myself, though I can generally watch the 2nd round of synchronised darts from Latvia, and enjoy it. I just like sport in general.

    My point is that the BBC seems to be really pushing American Football & clearly there isn't the interest in it to justify the amount of coverage they chuck at it, ignoring rugby

  • Comment posted by MajorDennisBloodnok, at 10:52 29 Oct 2018

    NFL the most boring stop start "sport" on the planet.

    4 hours to complete a 1 hour match.

  • Comment posted by fourwheelsdrifter, at 11:23 29 Oct 2018

    I am in agreement with #1 'thelastking….' I know the match at Wembley apparently drew a record crowd, but I am frustrated that the BBC would invest a large amount of a compulsory license fee in the NFL (I think the argument that presenters wishes granted as a priority has some merit) whilst claiming that securing more indigenous UK sporting output that many others prefer, is cost prohibitive!

  • Comment posted by Chris T, at 10:38 29 Oct 2018

    I agree wit 1. who gives a damn.

  • Comment posted by Auldref, at 16:28 29 Oct 2018

    As always we have the small minded "Not invented here" brigade on. I'm a passionate rugby man, played 23 years, coached and still ref at a decent level. I've also lived in the US for 8 years and came to understand the culture, history and context for the NFL. Try understanding something before you criticise.

  • Comment posted by Munster, at 11:20 29 Oct 2018

    Give it a rest BBC. These constant articles about Wade are becoming as boring as your obsession with Cipriani.

    Try reporting on Rugby rather than minor side issues.

  • Comment posted by Dr_John - not a Doctor of medicine, at 19:30 29 Oct 2018

    30. Ben "EJ's immediate interest in 'giant wing', 1.92m wing, Joe Cokanasiga, shows his priority over the X-factor, he said he wanted."

    You obviously don't watch much rugby, Cokanasiga has plenty of "X-factor". He is not the finished article yet, but his potential is incredible.

  • Comment posted by fourwheelsdrifter, at 15:39 29 Oct 2018

    Maybe you didn't understand it ITV?? If that channel is your channel of choice (after which you have named yourself It seems) and given its' mind numbing output ( don't get too cosy BBC - unfortunately you are apparently competing with it in a race to rock bottom) I am not surprised!

  • Comment posted by fourwheelsdrifter, at 14:42 29 Oct 2018

    Joe Cokanasiga has a pretty decent 'X factor' about him too! Some of his performances and 'finishing; in the Prem have been incredible to witness!

  • Comment posted by Ben, at 14:29 29 Oct 2018

    Whether Wade succeeds in another country is a side issue; that he gave up on RU is not, and it is a bad reflection on the English game, when a record was his for the taking. He is still being daubed with 'bad defence', largely for being wonderful in attack. Having watched him live since his first games, he can tackle and with muscle. Every back is caught of position, as that's what attack is about

  • Comment posted by fourwheelsdrifter, at 11:28 29 Oct 2018

    I actually watch the NFL, but I pay for it on SKY, There are numerous sports that much more closely identify with the UK British psyche than American football, but we are deprived of them unless on commercial self funded platforms, or behind 'paywalls'

  • Comment posted by Don Keyzed 65, at 09:36 30 Oct 2018

    Too many forward passes for a rugby fan

  • Comment posted by Dr_John - not a Doctor of medicine, at 19:20 29 Oct 2018

    26. TheProphetEnoch "But like some high profile union players going North in the 80s when they knew their bodies were on the verge of falling apart."

    You claim they went North because their bodies were falling apart, and yet several years later many of them were still good enough to play international union (6 went on the 97 lions tour)

  • Comment posted by wildbeast, at 19:10 29 Oct 2018

    @15 Just can't resist it can you -suggest you read comments from ex union players who turned to league eg G Thomas, A Powell,J Davies, S Gibbs, S Quinell,etc etc

  • Comment posted by fourwheelsdrifter, at 14:32 29 Oct 2018

    #24 Yes I would have thought that particular storyline was much more relevant to one already covered elsewhere. The SRFU reason 'excuse' is weak to say the least! Here is a man who has had his entire life turned upside down, and knowing the eventual outcome. one might have thought that Doddy's home union would be among the first to act in accordance with rugby's 'values' of integrity and respect

  • Comment posted by Dr_John - not a Doctor of medicine, at 13:37 29 Oct 2018

    Why are the BBC running so many stories about a good club rugby player moving to a niche sport in the US.

    Good luck to him trying something different, hope it works out, but it is a non-story. A bit like the obsession with Usain Bolt's football career.

  • Comment posted by U3246151, at 12:57 29 Oct 2018

    Jeez...recycled podcast stuff. We did this story to death last week.

    Wish him well...end of story.

    Got to love the "Danny Cipriani to leave rugby next" line being pushed by the same crowd. It's starting to sound more like the anti-RFU schtick so beloved of the BBC.

    Odd that we can't comment on the SRFU's reluctance to contribute to the Doddy Weir charity?

  • Comment posted by fourwheelsdrifter, at 11:45 29 Oct 2018

    I raised that point JD on a related board! There is definitely a wider issue for rugby to take on board here. It isn't - to my mind - solely C. Wade not getting what he might (or apparently U. Monye) think was not a fair shake with England!

  • Comment posted by Newtons apple, at 11:41 29 Oct 2018

    #5 Three sell out crowds would suggest there is an interest. And the elephant being ignored is why such a prolific try scorer is jacking it all in.

    https://www.rugbypass.com/news/threat-nfl-looms-english-rugby/

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