Running back/kick returner Christian Wade has been allocated to the Buffalo Bills as part of the International Player Pathway program, the team announced on Monday.
RB Christian Wade has been allocated to the @buffalobills as part of the International Player Pathway program. pic.twitter.com/7ff4yNJTRr
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR)
April 8, 2019 The 27-year-old Wade represented the English National Rugby Team at the U16, U18, U20 and senior levels. He was selected to the British and Irish Lions squad, the highest honor for a rugby player. His 82 Premiership Rugby tries (touchdowns) ranks third on the league's all-time list.
Wade will not count as part of the Bills' 90-man roster when they report to training camp in July. The team will receive an exemption for him and will be carried by the club until the end of camp. If he does not make the initial 53-man roster after final cuts, he is eligible for an "international player practice squad" exemption, allowing the team an 11th practice squad player. If that is the case, Wade is ineligible to be on any NFL team’s active roster at any time in 2019.
A life-changing moment!When @ChristianWade3 got THE call from the @buffalobills -- pic.twitter.com/6yGJC6ielW
— NFL UK (@NFLUK)
April 8, 2019 Instituted in 2017, the International Pathways Program aims to provide elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster.
David Bada (Germany), Moubarak Djeri (Germany), Valentine Holmes (Australia), Jakob Johnson (Germany), Dural Neto (Brazil), Maximo Sanchez (Mexico) and Wade all worked out at a Pathways Pro Day on April 1 in Tampa. Holmes and Wade were both top rugby players in their respective countries and retired from the sport to join the International Player Pathway Program.
