Jonah Lomu - Almost a Cowboy, laid to rest

[kiheikiwi]

Not sure if any of you remember or even follow Rugby, But today Rugby's biggest star literally, was laid to rest in a Public Funeral in New Zealand today. All the greats of world rugby came to pay their respects to the big man.
He was offered a contract to come to the Cowboys - as a 6'5" 270 pound running back. He turned it down to remain an All Black - New Zealand's national Rugby team. In his eulogy, they said he was offered a massive contract by the Cowboys but stayed to play the sport he loved.
I don't know how to add a link but for any of you interested in what might have been - look up YouTube - Jonah Lomu - to see the greatest Rugby player who passed last week, aged 40 years old.
As a Kiwi, I love that he stayed and wore the Black jersey - but can't help think what might have been.
Kia Kaha Jonah, You were a bloody legend !

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

Ok

 

[Fletch]

Not sure if any of you remember or even follow Rugby, But today Rugby's biggest star literally, was laid to rest in a Public Funeral in New Zealand today. All the greats of world rugby came to pay their respects to the big man.
He was offered a contract to come to the Cowboys - as a 6'5" 270 pound running back. He turned it down to remain an All Black - New Zealand's national Rugby team. In his eulogy, they said he was offered a massive contract by the Cowboys but stayed to play the sport he loved.
I don't know how to add a link but for any of you interested in what might have been - look up YouTube - Jonah Lomu - to see the greatest Rugby player who passed last week, aged 40 years old.
As a Kiwi, I love that he stayed and wore the Black jersey - but can't help think what might have been.
Kia Kaha Jonah, You were a bloody legend !

When was this contract proposed? Landry days?

 

[kiheikiwi]

Must have been early Jimmy days, maybe 20 years ? Say around 95 or so ...

 

[Future]

When was this contract proposed? Landry days?

The Cowboys denied it but it was in 94-95

In the run-up to the 1995 rugby World Cup in South Africa, unsure if he’d even make the All Blacks squad, Lomu was seriously considering joining the National Football League (NFL). The Dallas Cowboysreportedly offered Lomu a lot of money to bring him on, though the Cowboys denied this at the time.

http://qz.com/553302/imagine-if-jonah-lomu-had-agreed-to-join-the-nfl-in-the-1990s/

 

[trickblue]

Seems like I remember this... RIP...

 

[Future]

The guy truly was a specimen. In the rugby community, I think you'd have to liken his passing to...I don't even know who. He was bigger than Junior Seau, so it would be like Roger Staubach dying at 40. Something like that.

 

[csirl]

Great athlete.

The NFL contract thing is something floated by an agent - most likely to extract more money from a rugby team. These agents dont know anything about the NFL and how it works.

If I had a dollar for everytime I've heard a rugby (or many other sports) players agent say they're about to be signed by the NFL...........

 

[kiheikiwi]

At his eulogy Eric Rush - who was the Captain of the NZ sevens team, and Lomu's Guide in all things rugby said he talked to Lomu about going to the Cowboys - and saw the contract that was offered. Said it was for ALOT of money and asked why he would not take it. Lomu responded that it was just money, and wearing the All Blacks jersey was more important to him ...

 

[BAZ]

Never believed a word about him coming to the Cowboys or it being discussed. Doesn't even make sense unless it was coming from Lomu's side.