Inside the life of the Australian footy star who melted Americans' hearts when he broke down in tears because he desperately misses his family back home

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

It's been a whirlwind few months for Aussie cross-code footy star Archie Wilson, who has been dubbed 'the most interesting man on the planet' thanks in part to his outstanding karaoke skills.
The Haileybury College graduate has embarked on an inspiring and epic journey, travelling 14,800km north to the United States, to pursue a career in College Football.
In June, it was revealed that the 18-year-old from South Frankston, Victoria, had joined the Nebraska Cornhuskers' roster as a punter, ahead of the 2025-26 season.
And he's settled into life in the States very well, so much so that his new coach, Matt Rhule, has given him a glowing reference.
As part of the Cornhuskers' tradition for newcomers, all freshmen joining the roster have to stand up and perform a song to members of the team as a bonding exercise.
Wilson opted to sing 'Piano Man' by Billy Joel.
Earlier this week, Wilson made headlines for delivering an emotional interview where the punter revealed that he had missed his family back home in Australia
'We have talent shows, and guys get up and sing. Well, one team meeting I wasn't there,' Rhule said.
'We had the head coaches meeting... He [Wilson] got up and sang Piano Man.
'The guy crushed it. So, he's just the most interesting man in the world.'
Even Wilson appeared taken aback by his performance. 'I went up and smashed it,' the 18-year-old said. 'I'm not going to lie.'
While he knows he can sing, the 6ft 2in freshman is a humble and grounded individual who has captured the attention of many in the States and at home in Australia, for his down-to-earth approach to life, his footy skills and his interesting journey to play American football.
'I kind of just view myself as a guy who lives my moments and tells his stories,' Wilson said. 'I guess I am from a different country, so people do find that a bit interesting. When I was in Australia, most of the stuff I did lately was punting anyway.
'I kind of see myself the same as everyone else on the team. The fact that I'm from Australia shouldn't put me on a pedestal above anyone else.'
He also melted the hearts of many Americans earlier this week, as he broke down in tears during a press conference, when asked about what it was like to leave his family behind in Australia.
The youngster spent the 2024 footy season playing for Old Carey Men's U19 footy side in the Victoria league. He kicked 11 goals across 12 games during the season
'That part is hard... I'm sorry,' he said before pausing and hunching over the press conference podium to shield his eyes from the reporters and cameras in the room.
'Yeah, I love them a lot,' he added, trying to hold back the tears. 'I have two little brothers and a mom and a dad and that's the tough part about being here.
'I love them a lot and I miss them.'
A 15-hour time difference between Melbourne and Nebraska means it can be tricky for the business administration major to get in touch with his family back Down Under.
Despite his emotional interview, he admitted he was excited to welcome his mum, dad, and brothers to his new home in the coming months, with his family set to travel over to the States to watch him play in his first-ever American football match for the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska will kick off its season against Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Chiefs, on August 28.
'They know this is what's best for me and it's good I can still talk to them plenty over the phone.
'They're coming here to see the first few games, so I am looking forward to that.'
He was also dubbed 'the most interesting person on the planet' after performing karaoke in front of his team-mates
Wilson has also been the talk of the town over in the States for his unique ability to kick the ball with both feet, something he began working on when he was just five years old.
'My dad had helped me a lot when I was four or five, just making sure I could do it with both feet,' he said in an interview with NCN Sports Now.
'Then I started working on it a bit more and three or so years ago when I was playing Australian footy, I hurt my ankle, my left ankle. I was like: "Well, I can't kick with my left ankle... but I can kick with my right!" And I took that as another opportunity to make sure it was getting better, and now it just feels like I'm kicking normally.'
The unique skill isn't something that many punters in College Football are able to do, with Wilson revealing it allows him to spark some uncertainty among opposition players, who have to figure out which way he's going to punt the footy.
Wilson honed his craft playing Aussie rules back in Victoria at Haileybury College, a well-renowned school that has produced some exciting American football talents, including the likes of Penn State kicker Riley Thompson and Chicago Bears kicker Tory Taylor.
While he has followed a pathway to American football similar to that of Taylor's, Wilson is insistent that he is carving his own path.
'I didn't look specifically at Tory Taylor,' he said. 'There are a lot of Australian punters over there. I could name multiple from the same school as me. I didn't really have one person that I wanted to be. This is my journey.
'A lot of other people are doing a similar thing to me, but I wanted to create my own path and do it for myself. Yeah, Tory Taylor, exceeding heaps. It's a goal that you want to reach a level like his, but it's not like I want to be Tory Taylor.'
The 18-year-old (pictured) was picked up by Nebraska after enrolling in Australia's Prokick programme, an elite coaching scheme, conceived by ex-AFL player Nathan Chapman, that helps to transform Aussie prospects into accomplished collegiate athletes
Before moving to the States, Wilson had spent the 2024 footy season playing for Old Carey Men's U19 footy side in the Victoria league. He kicked 11 goals across 12 games during the season.
The 18-year-old was picked up by Nebraska after enrolling in Australia's Prokick programme, an elite coaching scheme, conceived by ex-AFL player Nathan Chapman, that helps to transform Aussie prospects into accomplished collegiate athletes.
The programme has produced more than 270 athletes who have gained scholarships in College football.
That is where he was scouted by Nebraska's special teams coach Mike Ekeler, who had made him his number one target when he was coaching at Tennessee, before the kicking specialist moved to the Huskers.
'I got really into the College Football side of things and the country, because I knew I was going to come here,' Wilson said.
'I actually had a fair grasp, I knew Lincoln, Nebraska, so I wasn't completely oblivious to where I was going to be living for the next four years.'
Ekeler, who has known the young footy star for some time, also heaped praise on the emerging prospect.
'Man, that guy is special,' Ekeler said. 'I mean, he truly is. He is 18 years old, leaves home for the first time, goes to a different country, and leaves his family, whom he's extremely close to.
He will now play his first ever game of American football as Nebraska opens their season against Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium
'What coach [Rhule] said about him is accurate. That kid knows every one of his teammates, and his teammates love him because of the energy he brings in the building, not just because of what he can do with the football.'
Noting his ability to boot the ball with both feet and his personality around the team, Ekeler is hugely excited about what Wilson can bring to the squad this season, even going as far as to brand him a 'damn weapon'.
'The guy's special. I said it the last place I was at, and I'll say it about Arch: the guy's going to be a damn weapon.'
Having now swapped an oval for a rectangular football field, Wilson is due to feature in his first-ever American football game in two weeks' time at Arrowhead.
And while he is excited about the match, he admits he must not let the occasion get to him.
'It's going to be awesome, I'm looking forward to it so much,' he told NCN Sports.
'Although it's a big stadium and a cool place to play at the end of the day, the field is still the same and the task is to punt and play well.
'I've got to do my job right on the field in order to earn the right to enjoy the day.'