Jermaine Eluemunor, the massive offensive lineman for the New York Giants, grew up in London with a different football dream.
He wanted to be a professional soccer player.
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In an interview with TMZ Sports, the 31-year-old tackle shared his early passion for the sport. “I've always been a huge fan of the game.
I wanted to play when I was a little kid. I was just too big,” said the 6'4", 338 lb.
athlete.
Eluemunor explained that soccer was harder for him because he didn't play as often. “When I was a kid, I wasn't playing as much.
I was playing maybe like once or twice a week.
But when I came to America, I learned that you have to train every single day,” he said.
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He moved to the United States as a teenager and eventually found his calling in American football.
Now one of the NFL's top right tackles, Eluemunor signed a $39 million contract in March.
“I think that God put me on the earth to play American football. That's, you know, my love and passion,” he stated.
Eluemunor also discussed World Cup breakout star Erling Haaland, suggesting the Norwegian striker could excel in American football.
“He's a big physical guy. He's kind of like an anomaly,” Eluemunor said.
“You don't see 6'5 guys like that sprinting downfield.
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I'm sure if he were on a 40-yard dash, it would be like a 4.2 or 4.1.
He is one of a kind, and I think that's why Americans have kind of fell in love with him.”
He compared Haaland to former NFL star Rob Gronkowski.
Before heading to training camp, Eluemunor spent time in England this summer hosting his 2nd Annual American Football camp.
He is passionate about spreading the sport in his home country and has ambitious goals for his young campers.
When asked about England's World Cup semifinal against Argentina, Eluemunor confidently predicted his native team would “smack” Lionel Messi's squad.
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The match airs on FOX One through July 19.
