Fiji can do it in NFL Flag: Murtagh

The interest by our students to play the NFL (National Football League) Flag has made Denver Broncos tight end (26) Patrick Murtagh.

Speaking to SUNsports, he said: “I’ve seen phenomenal athletes come out here and it’s reflected upon these schools out here.”

Murtagh said kids in the young grades need to work on their ball handling skills and how they can throw or catch.

He said most of the children have never played the sport but after watching them, they’re playing like they’ve played it for years.

“So it’s really impressive and it’s a credit to you guys as a country and how well they can listen, adapt and just pick up the sport really quickly.”

Murtagh believes that Fiji has great rugby talents but with the introduction of NFL Flag, Fiji can be dominant in the future.

“You guys have some phenomenal talent out here and with NFL Flag being played in the Olympics in 2028 and the hope to bring it to Brisbane in 2032, there’s so much talent here. You can definitely see Fiji having a really dominant team later on in the future,” he said.

Murtagh also confirmed that he has close links in Fiji.

“I grew up on Malolo Island, early in my childhood before I went to school. Mum is from Papua New Guinea, so we have those ties to the South Pacific region,” he said.

Murtagh added that it’s nice to give back to the community and to the people that were my age.

Murtagh is a professional NFL player. He joined the team through the International Player Pathway Programme and has previously played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League.