Former Gold Coast Suns AFL player Patrick Murtagh has signed with the Detroit Lions in the NFL, taking the same route as Aussie NFL star Jordan Mailata.
The 23-year-old is one of 12 players selected for the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) program, despite never playing a senior game for the Suns during his three years on their senior roster.
The NFL IPP program is an initiative designed to allow players from outside the United States to participate in the NFL.
The program is highly competitive, with only a select number of players being chosen each year.
Murtagh is one of the few to make it through the program and earn a spot on the Lions roster.
Murtagh was delisted by the Gold Coast Suns in 2022 and took a gamble on the NFL – which came to a head when he got a chance as a tight end with the Detroit Lions
Murtagh poses with NFL superstar Odell Beckham Jr. Now the Aussie gets a chance to play in the same league as the insanely talented wide receiver
Murtagh’s performance is made even more impressive by the fact that unlike most Aussie gridiron players, he doesn’t get a chance due to his punting skills.
Instead, he’s a tight end – a challenging position that calls on players to catch, block, and learn a mountain of complicated plays.
Murtagh spent 10 weeks honing his skills at Florida’s IMG Academy, where he had the opportunity to train with NFL star Odell Beckham Jr.
Murtagh described the experience as “surreal” and said it was a core memory that will stay with him forever.
“Detroit Lions tied,” Murtagh wrote on Instagram.
“Beyond grateful to everyone who was a part of this journey. To my team around me, friends, family and everyone out there, thank you! Here’s to us! We’re going to Detroit.’
Jordan Mailata and girlfriend Niki Ikahihifo Bender. Mailata also graduated through the IPP program to earn a good spot in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles
While Murtagh struggled to crack the AFL, Mailata battled to make it to the NRL with the South Sydney Rabbitohs before getting his big break in the United States.
While at the academy, Murtagh watched a tape of Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and admired his athleticism, routing, blocking and leadership.
Murtagh’s journey to the NFL began when he was dropped from the Gold Coast Suns in 2022.
He then tried out for the IPP program where he impressed the coaches with his athleticism and dedication to the sport.
Murtagh is seen by the Lions as a project player, just as the Philadelphia Eagles first saw Mailata.
He will train with the Lions during the preseason, and if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster, Detroit can still keep him on their practice squad as an additional development player during the regular season.
Murtagh’s performance is an important milestone for Australian players in the NFL, especially those who don’t play as punters.
Murtagh joins Mailata and Adam Gotsis as Aussies who don’t play as gamblers in the NFL.
Jacksonville Jaguars defense end Adam Gotsis is the only current Australian besides Mailata to play a position in the NFL besides punter
Former St Kilda Saints AFL player Arryn Siposs has made it to the Super Bowl as a punter for the Philadelphia Eagles
Queensland Cowboys and Maroons support Valentine Holmes got a taste of the NFL with the New York Jets after making it to the IPP program in 2019
Michael Dickson, Mitch Wishnowsky and Arryn Siposs are current Aussie NFL players filling the Gambler role in Seattle, San Francisco and Philadelphia respectively.
Mailata, who also came to the NFL through the IPP program, provided advice to other foreign players.
“Enjoy and respect the process. Give everything you’ve got. Grab the opportunity and don’t let it go to waste. Hard work will always outlive talent,” he said.
North Queensland Cowboys NRL star Valentine Holmes was the last Aussie to go through the IPP ahead of Murtagh and Mailata, making it to the New York Jets roster in 2019.
Holmes trained alongside other international players at Florida’s IMG Academy for several months before being assigned to the New York Jets’ practice squad before eventually returning to the NRL.