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Derick Hougaard wants to become a place kicker in the United States NFL. (Gallo images)
- Derick Hougaard, a former Bulls and Bok midfielder, is looking to return to professional sports at 37 and wants to play in the NFL.
- In a “proactive” move, he hopes to capture the attention of scouts at a camp organized by WWS Africa next month, where observers explore the suitability of post-matrix rugby players for the field of play.
- Hougaard says it’s been a long-standing dream of hers to play the sport.
Ex Bulls and Springbok flyhalf Derick hougaard he apparently has his heart set on playing in the NFL … at 37 years old.
Retired since 2015 due to a variety of injuries, he will use the WWS Africa Scout Camp next month to impress observers and get a possible trial in the USA.
WWS Africa is the brainchild of Munyai Maraire, a Zimbabwe-born former college football player, and Bart Schoeman, a former Lions high-performance manager, who hope to help overlooked South African school rugby players receive possible scholarships for American football.
While there are no age criteria for potential testers, Hougaard’s intentions are odd for an initiative targeting high school dropouts.
“I had 14 wonderful years as a professional rugby player, but when an athlete’s career is interrupted by injury, there is a sense of unfinished business,” Netwerk24 said in a statement.
“Playing a sport professionally is a way of life and every professional athlete would prefer to end his career on his own terms. I played rugby all over the world and ending my career as an American soccer player would be a great triumph.
Unsurprisingly, Hougaard, who scored 69 points in eight tryouts for the Springboks, relies on his excellent kicker to fill a similar role on the field of play.
He would then follow the lead of Springbok legend Naas Botha, who also went to seek fame and fortune in the United States during a failed tryout with the Dallas Cowboys.
“There are no guarantees in sport and the Covid-19 pandemic has taught me not to dismiss dreams, but to be proactive in pursuing them,” Hougaard said.
Even before his rugby career ended, he apparently harbored dreams of playing in the NFL and already ordered a full team to practice before scouting camp.
– Compiled by Sport24 staff
