Fevola’s baggage won’t work at NFL, says Darren Bennett
Australia’s most successful NFL player, Darren Bennett pessimistic for any chances of Brendan Fevola at NFL, even as a punter.
He may be physically fit, but Australia’s most successful NFL player, Darren Bennett has insisted that the psychological noise currently experienced by Australian Football League (AFL) Brendan Fevola may not give the fellow Aussie footballer a place at America’s National Football League (NFL). Especially, emphasized Bennett, if he is eyeing to be a punter.
''Punters are team guys,'' Bennett was quoted as saying by The Age. ''They're asked to sacrifice yardage and statistics for the good of the team. The last thing an NFL coach needs is a punter with issues. It's not a position for head cases or guys with big egos.''
Bennet made his claims amid reports that Fevola may have a chance as ‘Punter” at America’s NFL, now that the footballer’s career appears to be over in Australia’s football league.
Fevola has been making headlines recently following his arrest in January that led to his untimely exit from the team. These issues serve as Fevola’s resume if he wants to take a chance in America.
''Any NFL general manager is going to Google the name Fevola and find out all he needs to know,'' Bennett said, according to The Age. ''And if he needs to know anything else, he's likely to give me a call and I'll fill in any gaps. Trust me, it's not going to work.''
Like many footballer in the league, everyone is aware of Fevola’s story and his recent run-ins with the law. The AFL’s forward had an altercation with the police on New Year’s eve this year and was subsequently charged with public nuisance and obstructing police. The footballer is now undergoing rehabilitation to address his issues.
These issues are what Bennett referred to as his major hurdles if he was eyeing a spot at NFL and may not have a chance to follow his footsteps.
The Aussie punter expressed his doubts over Fevola’s ability to handle pressures once playing for NFL.
''He's struggled with the pressures of the AFL. The NFL is 10, 20 times the pressure. He couldn't handle it in the AFL, how's he going to handle it in the NFL?''
Bennet said Ed Wyatt of The Age is a former player for the AFL, just like Fevola. Bennett palyed with West Coast and Melbourne, with an 11-year career at NFL. The Aussie footballer has earned his title as NFL’s “punter of the decade” for the 1990s.