Jermaine Eluemunor opens up on joining the New York Giants 17 years after falling in love with the team and the NFL during Wembley game: ‘Coming here was always a dream’

By signing a two-year contract with the New York Giants this offseason, NFL veteran Jermaine Eluemunor finally fulfilled a dream he had since his teenage years.

Eluemunor, the London-born offensive lineman preparing for his eighth season in the NFL, first fell in love with American football on October 28, 2007, when the Giants and Miami Dolphins faced off in the inaugural International Series regular season match at Wembley. Stadium.

At 17, he was in awe of both the sport itself and the team in blue, white and red. 16 and a half years later, this fascinated young boy signed a two-year contract worth $14 million – and guaranteed $6.75 million – with that same team.

“This helmet and this uniform stick out to me,” Eluemunor recently said, via the New York Post. “It’s known all over the world. For me, coming here to this franchise has always been a dream.

Explaining why he’s so excited, he added: “It’s the fucking New York Giants.”

London-born Eluemunor fell in love with the NFL and the Giants when they faced the Miami Dolphins in the 2007 International Series.

That day, the 17-year-old was fascinated by the team in white, red and blue.

After playing for the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens, Eluemunor – who moved to the United States with his father when he was 14 – had unsuccessful stints with the Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars.

The former Texas A&M College star was released by both organizations, before spending three seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders.

He started all 34 games at right tackle for the Raiders over the past two seasons, but in New York, that position is currently occupied by Evan Neal.

Nonetheless, Eluemunor has also started matches as a goalkeeper in the past, which could represent another route into the team.

“That’s one thing that’s helped me get to this position right now is my versatility,” he continued.

“We have a very good left tackle. Evan Neal is a very good player, in my opinion. I think he has a lot of potential. I’m really excited to play with (guard Jon) Runyan and (center John Michael Schmitz). I will play wherever I am needed.

Eluemunor started all 34 games at right tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders over the past two seasons.

After first moving to Denville, New Jersey at age 14 and dabbling in football and wrestling, Eluemunor eventually packed his bags and headed to Lackawanna College in Scranton , in Pennsylvania, and first made a name for himself, before lining up for Texas. AM.

The Ravens ultimately selected him with a fifth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft to cap off a unique and admirable journey to the big leagues – and the man from London is ready to fight for his place in New York once again. York.

“You can watch me on film and see how I perform under pressure,” Eluemunor said. “I’ve been under a lot of pressure throughout my career, especially from when I started to where I am now, to be at this point in my career where I feel like I’m finally hitting my stride . .’