McAtamney doubted college career 'enough to impress' NFL
New York Giants kicker Jude McAtamney has admitted he almost did not attend the Rutgers University pro day that ended up landing him a chance to kick in the National Football League (NFL).The former Derry GAA underage goalkeeper from Swatragh kicked a field goal and extra point from two attempts in his NFL debut against the Washington Commanders in November.He joined the franchise as an undrafted free agent after three years in college, the first at Chowan University in North Carolina before a further two at Rutgers.In his final season at the New Jersey school, however, he was no longer the team's primary field goal kicker.With that demotion a "bitter pill to swallow", McAtamney needed convinced to keep chasing his NFL dream."The preparations had started for the college pro day, where NFL teams come to your school to watch you, and two weeks before, I was sitting in my apartment in New Brunswick," McAtamney told the GAA Social, BBC NI's Gaelic Games podcast."I said to my girlfriend, 'I'm not going to do this, I just don't want to.'"I was at a point where I didn't think I could. How my college career went, I didn't think on paper it was good enough to impress NFL scouts or coaches."Ultimately, it was McAtamney's girlfriend who convinced him to attend."I was missing home at that point too which influenced how I was thinking and feeling," he added."She told me to just do it, that I'd regret not doing it. Fast forward two weeks and I was in a good space."It was do or die. If I didn't kick well that day I wouldn't have had a shot."Looking back now, you'd be so stupid to take that opportunity for granted but being on the other side of it was a different perspective."Listen to the GAA Social here, where McAtamney talks about his journey from Swatragh to Giants Stadium.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion United
an hour ago
- Fashion United
NFL jerseys given a football makeover
The National Football League (NFL) and Fanatics have given each team's jersey a football (soccer) makeover. The NFL Football x Football Collection features all 32 NFL teams paying homage to football with fan tops inspired by classic football designs of the past, such as colourful stripes for the Kansas City Chiefs and a bold blue and red design for the Buffalo Bills. NFL Football x Football collection from Fanatics - Buffalo Bills Credits: Fanatics Each of the football-style jerseys includes the NFL teams' signature colours and logos and has been designed to 'bring soccer culture to the heart of the American sports landscape'. The collection, developed by a global design team based across Europe, South America and the US, aims to combine football culture with the identity, history and spirit of every NFL club. NFL Football x Football collection from Fanatics - Miami Dolphins Credits: Fanatics The collection will debut at the Fanatics Fest in New York City, a three-day fan festival taking place June 20 to 22, which connects fans with athletes, leagues, and sports brands. NFL fans attending Fanatics Fest will get the first chance to purchase the exclusive collection inside the expanded merchandise village. For international fans, Fanatics states the collection will have a 'limited release' on the NFL shop. NFL Football x Football collection from Fanatics - Detroit Lions Credits: Fanatics NFL Football x Football collection from Fanatics - Jacksonville Jaguars Credits: Fanatics NFL Football x Football collection from Fanatics - Philadelphia Eagles Credits: Fanatics NFL Football x Football collection from Fanatics - New England Patriots Credits: Fanatics
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
How much do Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders make? Full salary details revealed as new Netflix season drops
The second season of 'America's Sweethearts' has been released on Netflix, with the streamer once again providing a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. But for all of the recognition that being a Cowboys cheerleader brings, members of the NFL squad's famed cheerleading are not exactly rich. While it's understood that not all Dallas cheerleaders make the same salary, one ex-Cowboys cheerleader who exclusively spoke to the Daily Mail said she made between $15,000 and $22,000 per year while part of the DCC. Cheerleaders can also add to their pay by doing special appearances, with those rates understood to be based on tenure. Other reports, such as one from NBC Sports Boston in 2022, said that Cowboys cheerleaders earn between $15-20 per hour or $500 per game - which the publication calculated out to a healthier $75,000 yearly salary. An ESPN report from 2017 added that the average leaguewide game-rate for cheerleaders was between $75 and $150. 'America's Sweethearts' details the grueling commitment of being a Cowboys cheerleader Thus, while there may be a large range in the pay of Cowboys cheerleaders, they generally make more than their counterparts around the NFL. The issue of cheerleaders' pay has come to the forefront in recent years, with a former DCC actually filing a lawsuit in 2017. As a result of that litigation, pay for Cowboys cheerleaders was increased from $8 an hour to $12, with their game-day fee was doubled from $200 to $400. Still, the franchise's chief brand officer (and daughter of owner Jerry Jones) Charlotte Jones has previously admitted cheerleaders are underpaid. 'There 's a lot of cynicism around pay for NFL cheerleaders — as it should be. They're not paid a lot,' she said in the first season of the documentary, which shows the dedication it takes to be a Cowboys cheerleader. 'But the facts are, they actually don't come here for the money. They come here for something that's actually bigger than that to them. 'They have a passion for dance. There are not a lot of opportunities in the field of dance to get to perform at an elite level. It is about being a part of something bigger than themselves,' Jones continued. 'It is about a sisterhood that they are able to form, about relationships that they have for the rest of their life. They have a chance to feel like they are valued, they are special, and they are making a difference. When the women come here, they find their passion and they find their purpose.' As seen in 'America's Sweethearts', many of the team's members have to hold second jobs to pursue their goals in dance, and spend 30 to 40 hours of their week practicing. There are also strict rules that cheerleaders have to follow when it comes to their appearance, including how their hair and makeup is done. Ultimately, however, there are positives to being a Cowboys cheerleader as well.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Jake Paul 'fix' claims spread again ahead of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr fight
The 'Problem Child' returns to action for the first time since November this weekend - but is facing calls that his fight with Chavez Jr is 'fixed' Jake Paul has once again been hit with 'fix' claims ahead of his return to the boxing ring later this month. The YouTuber-turned-boxer is set to return to action next weekend and will take on former middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in Anaheim. The highly-anticipated showdown will be contested at cruiserweight - with Chavez Jr coming into the dust-up off a win over former UFC middleweight contender Uriah Hall. Paul has not fought since defeating Mike Tyson on points last November. Since making his professional debut back in 2020, the 28-year-old has been criticised by many for 'fixing' his fights. The American is once again at the heart of 'fix' claims ahead of his return to competitive action. Professional Boxing Coach Daley Perales recently weighed in and offered his verdict on Chavez Jr's fight with Paul. Perales seemingly shared a post of the Mexican fighter preparing for the contest on his official Instagram page - with the caption: "Chavez has not been motivated for a very long time. But this fight looks like it has woken him back up. He looks healthy and locked in. If the right Chavez turns up then he wins. If the right Chavez turns up and losses, then it is a fix." This is not the first time Paul has been hit with such allegations. Following his victory over Tyson, a friend of the boxing legend allegedly claimed that the scrap was rigged. In an interview with the Mirror US, former NFL star Adam 'Pacman' Jones said: "I truly think the fight was rigged because if you look at the first round, Mike hit him with a couple and it looked like he told him to slow down." "Did I think his feet were all the way there? No, I didn't. He was a little wobbly on the feet. I like Mike Tyson. I love Mike Tyson. I love to see a real fight with Mike Tyson." After several fans bought into the theory, Most Valuable Promotions were quick to issue the following statement: "Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight. There were absolutely no restrictions -- contractual or otherwise -- around either fighter. "Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations) boxing rules. It is further illogical and inane that MVP, in the debut of a hopeful long-term partnership with the world's biggest streamer -- an organisation that made its first-ever foray into live professional sports with Paul vs. Tyson -- would even so much as consider such a perverse violation of the rules of competition." During a press conference earlier this year, promoting his fight with Mike Tyson before it got cancelled, Paul had his say on the topic of his fights being potentially 'rigged': "A lot of people are doubting me, a lot of people are saying if Jake wins then the fight is rigged because of how great he looks. "Age is just a number, he's a killer and he's a warrior. He's been doing this his whole entire life so it's second nature to him. I've been doing it for four years and I've been doing it at a super-high level but I'm going to prove I can out-box Mike Tyson. I'll be the one doing the killing."
