From basketball, to AFL, to gridiron.
Former North Melbourne rookie Eric Wallace is trying his hand at NFL and has been invited to a training camp with the New Orleans Saints in America.
Wallace, who was on North’s list as a ‘Category B’ rookie from 2012 until 2015, returned to the United States and was singled out by the Saints' franchise to attend the club’s ‘Rookie Minicamp’.
The 27-year-old told NMFC.com.au he initially wasn’t sure whether to return to basketball, or try his hand at American football, using the foundation he had built during his time at Arden St.
“After a few weeks and some conversations with my father, some friends in the NFL, and my agent here, I came to the decision to really focus on football training for NFL,” Wallace said.
Wallace is one of 44 players joining in try-outs at New Orleans, playing as a tight end.
And perhaps fittingly, his contacts in basketball helped shine the spotlight on his NFL ambitions.
“One morning I received a message from David Booth. Coach Booth was one my one of the assistant basketball coaches during two of my years at DePaul University was, and still remains, a scout for the NBA team New Orleans Pelicans,” Wallace explained.
“He let me know that on a day-to-day basis the Pelicans & Saints (NFL) cross paths regularly.”
It was that connection that led to an important next step, with Booth pointing the Saints in Wallace’s direction.
“Jeff Ireland, the assistant general manager of the Saints, reached out to me for some vision of me, and shortly after they flew me out for a one day workout with the coaching staff for evaluation. One week after this workout I was invited out again to Rookie Minicamp.”
That three day camp included newly drafted rookies, free agent signees, and rookie tryout players who undergo a weekend of NFL training.
Now he’s completed that step, Wallace has been invited to the Veterans Minicamp, with an eye on Trading Camp and potentially a shot at the big time.
While Wallace may live on the opposite side of the world, his love of North still remains. He continues to monitor the Roos’ results closely.
“I'm elated to see the early season success of the Kangaroos this season,” he added.
“During my time there it was evident North was stepping into a period of success led by Brad Scott.
“I'm definitely bragging to my friends here about how well the Roos are doing, and taking some credit for it in the meantime."
And while he may not have been able to make his AFL debut during his time at North, the 197cm big man remains ever positive about his future.
“My intention is to inspire many people to try new and different things, whether it be athletically, professionally, socially, culturally, religiously, whatever,” he said.
