Buzz: NFL star ‘Tha Monstar’ eyes NRL

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JESSE Williams, the Aussie who plays for defending Super Bowl champions the Seattle Seahawks, has not ruled out doing the opposite to Jarryd Hayne and having a crack one day at the NRL.

This 140kg, 24-year-old monster plays as a defensive tackle for the Seahawks but sadly has been sidelined with a knee injury for consecutive Super Bowls.

On Monday, he could amazingly become the owner of his second title ring — the most cherished prize in American sport — without ever playing an NFL game — let alone one of the deciders.

Seattle Seahawks star Jesse Williams has not ruled out playing NRL. Source: Getty Images

For several days your columnist has been trying to get an interview through the Seattle Seahawks media department with the former Brisbane schoolboy and youngster who grew up playing rugby league.

After having absolutely no luck, I bumped into the big man among nearly 2000 partygoers at the seriously flash ESPN party on Saturday night in a room full of supermodels, business tycoons and former NFL legends.

This guy could so easily have become the next Shane Webcke, Matt Scott or any of the great front-rowers the Maroons have produced over the years.

His nickname in the NFL is "Tha Monstar". He has freakish strength and speed, capable of doing a 270kg bench press and sprinting 40 yards in under five seconds.

Imagine that power in the Cronulla Sharks front-row.

Jesse Williams with the Maroons Origin team. Source: News Limited

He is a huge young man with as many tattoos as Todd Carney and Josh Dugan combined. We chat for several minutes (he's much more polite than the above duo) and I pose the question about having a crack at NRL one day.

"I still have more I want to do here," he says, "but it's something I've thought about for later in my career.

"You never know what might happen. Would I like to play Origin? Oh yeah."

Williams follows rugby league closely.

During the NFL off-season he spends time back in Australia and attends as many Broncos games as he can.

Asked about Jarryd Hayne's chances of making it over here, he was like the professionally media-trained NFL star you expect, very guarded with his answers.

"It's going to be difficult because he's never done it before," Williams said. "I started playing when I was at school in Brisbane but good luck to him for having a go."

As for his own career, you get a glimpse of his attitude and determination from a Twitter post when he was injured and ruled out of his second Super Bowl.

"You'll Never Find a Better Sparring Partner Than Adversity#WarriorNotAWorrier."

This morning (Sydney time) he'll be at the University of Phoenix Stadium among 70-odd thousand fans to cheer for a Seahawks victory.

In future years he wants to be out there himself.

And then maybe, one day, back to Australia for a crack at NRL and an Origin showdown in his home town.

Seattle Seahawks star Jesse Williams has not ruled out playing NRL. Source: Getty Images

BROWN'S BRILLIANT (BUT NRL SAID NOT GOOD ENOUGH)

MICHAEL Brown used to be second-in-charge at Cricket Australia before he was poached by soccer officials to become chief executive of the Asian Cup.

He has just put on one of the best sporting tournaments this country has ever staged, with crowd figures and gate-takings doubling expectations and what was budgeted for.

Now to the point. Last year, when the very capable Jim Doyle quit as Dave Smith's 2IC at the NRL, Brown was interviewed for the position but turned away because he wasn't considered good enough.

Suzanne Young, someone with no sports administration experience, got the gig instead.

Now that will do me.

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***

I HAVE been writing for years that if rugby league players were animals, you would report the NRL to the RSPCA over the cruel and brutal scheduling of games.

And every year nothing has been done about it.

In fact, the opposite has happened. Some genius decided three teams, instead of one, should spend 48 hours on a plane on the eve of the season kick-off to go to England and back for World Club challenge games that no-one cares about.

So 60 players — instead of 20 — are now subjected to this ridiculously demanding pre-season, combined with the Nines, the All Stars and the trials, before 26 premiership rounds, a month of finals, three State of Origins and a Test.

Talk about overkill. Last year even our Kangaroos jersey was cheapened by the absence of so many superstars who just physically could not lace on their boots for another month of Four Nations football.

Over here, where I'm covering the Super Bowl, the NFL season starts its season in September and finishes in February — less than five months.

The shorter season (16 games) ensures every match and every event is a hot-ticket item. Stadiums are sold out years in advance because there are only eight home games.

More importantly, there is not the burnout issue and player welfare is taken far more seriously.

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THE HIGHLIGHT

THE Socceroos winning the Asian Cup. This side has improved remarkably since the World Cup, albeit against weaker opposition. With the Kangaroos and Wallabies struggling, the Socceroos have at least restored national pride in the green and gold footy codes.

THE LOWLIGHT

MISSING the Sharks and their fantastic performances to push premiers South Sydney to extra time in the final of the Auckland Nines. #Holt #Kingwan

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SWING AND MISS

ROBERT Allenby can be a prickly character. We are both in Phoenix and we've been communicating via text message (he refuses to answer his mobile.)

I offered him the opportunity to give an unedited version of his recent assault, abduction and the $4000 strip club bill in Honolulu.

This was our final exchange after his promising first round at the Open.

Buzz: Great round mate. 5 shots off the speed. Surely you're up for a chat.

Allenby: There's no chat!!! Please don't text me again.

DOLLARS V SENSE

WITH the signing of Shane Richardson, the NRL now has 10 employees in senior management roles earning annual salaries of close to $500,000 or more. At the same time we're paying millions to an outside promoter to stage the Auckland Nines.

SALARY SOARS

COMPARED to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, I guess it's not too bad. Goodell, who has been under the pump for much of the NFL season, has an annual salary of $44 million — and that is in US dollars.

Phil Rothfield travelled to Arizona courtesy of ESPN.

SUPER BOWL XLIX: Live on ESPN from 10am

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