Olympic Gold Medalist Roje Stona Swaps Discus for NFL Dreams
In a move that has stunned both the track and field and football worlds, reigning Olympic men’s discus champion Roje Stona of Jamaica is trading in his throwing circle for the gridiron. The 25-year-old has officially joined the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program, setting his sights on a career in professional football.
Stona, who captured Olympic gold in Paris this past August, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of athletes like Jordan Mailata. Mailata, a former rugby player from Australia, successfully transitioned to the NFL through the IPP and now plays as an offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles. Stona will be one of 14 athletes in this year’s IPP program, joining a diverse group that includes Australian rugby star Jordan Petaia and players from countries such as Fiji, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe.
From Olympic Glory to NFL Ambitions
Stona’s journey to the IPP began shortly after his historic performance in Paris, where he set an Olympic record with a discus throw of 70 meters. The University of Arkansas alum, who had previously dabbled in American football, was contacted by the IPP program and offered a chance to participate in its 10-week training camp. This wasn’t Stona’s first brush with football; he had taken part in Arkansas football’s pro day in March and attended minicamps with the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers earlier this year.
Scouts at Arkansas’ pro day were impressed by Stona’s athleticism, noting that he had the potential to play as both a defensive end and a tight end. Despite his success in track and field, the allure of football proved too strong to resist.
“After the Olympics, [the IPP] reached out again. I was like, ‘Yo, the door’s open again,’” Stona told ESPN’s Alexis Nunes. “Of course, I’m going to take it. At the Olympics, I won gold, got a record. And after that offseason, they approached me again, so I took up the opportunity.”
The IPP Program: A Gateway to the NFL
Since its inception, the IPP program has been a launching pad for international athletes looking to break into the NFL. To date, 41 players have signed with NFL teams through the program, with 23 currently on rosters and five on active rosters. Notable IPP alumni include Mailata (Australia), Efe Obada (Washington Commanders/United Kingdom), Sammis Reyes (Minnesota Vikings/Chile), Thomas Odukoya (Tennessee Titans/Netherlands), and David Bada (Detroit Lions/Germany).
Stona is eager to make his mark in the program, which kicks off in January in Florida. While he’s keeping his options open for a potential return to discus, his immediate focus is on excelling in the IPP camp.
“It is a lot of variables. A lot of things can happen in a few months, you know what I mean?” Stona said. “So it’s hard to put opinion on what’s going to happen, but obviously I’m going to take it a step at a time. First, I’m going to make sure I try to go through this camp successfully.”
Balancing Football Dreams and Discus Legacy
Stona’s love for football isn’t new. He first became interested in the sport while following Clemson, where he began his collegiate track and field career before transferring to Arkansas. He’s also a fan of the NFL, particularly the offenses of the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, as well as the defenses of the Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Vikings.
For now, Stona is embracing the challenge of transitioning from Olympic champion to NFL hopeful. If his track record is any indication, he’s more than capable of rising to the occasion.
Key Takeaways
- Roje Stona, 25, is the reigning Olympic men’s discus champion and set an Olympic record with a 70-meter throw in Paris.
- He has joined the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, which begins in January in Florida.
- Stona has prior football experience, having participated in pro days and minicamps with the Saints and Packers.
- The IPP program has helped 41 international players sign with NFL teams, with 23 currently on rosters.
Will Stona’s Olympic success translate to the NFL? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the sports world will be watching.
Originally Written by: Alexis Nunes
