‘Running like that with no helmet is nuts’- Super Bowl winner stunned by rugby
Former NFL running back and Super Bowl XLIV winner Reggie Bush is the latest American Football player to be left stunned by rugby.
The 37-year-old recently shared a video of some NRL highlights and was shocked by what he saw. That is partly because the video he shared was of former New Zealand Warriors and Wigan Warriors prop Iafeta Paleaaesina, whose running style was a combination of a bucking bronco and an out-of-control steamroller.
At the sight of the Kiwi pulverising defenders, Bush wrote “Now this sport is crazy! Lol! Running like that with no helmet is nuts.”
Paleaaesina actually commented, saying: “#RugbyLeague Greatest game of All Brother. If you’re looking for a team to follow @hullfcofficial.”
Paleaaesina’s former New Zealand teammate Robbie Hunter-Paul also wrote on Twitter: “I can attest to the nuts element of RL. Speaking from a position of knowledge due to the FACT that trampled me into the ground more times than I care to remember.
“Only a certain type of creature plays RL. It’s not for everyone but those it is for, it’s awesome.”
This was the video:
Now this sport is crazy! Lol! Running like that with no helmet is nuts pic.twitter.com/rujNUr9G5W
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) January 6, 2023
@Fex_P had no thought of self preservation and was definitely elegiac to handbrakes!
Once A Warrior
Wednesday 7:30pm @skysportnz 1 pic.twitter.com/McOSiYzIg4— Monty Betham (@MontyBetham13) August 22, 2022
Bush played for the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers during his 11-year career. He was drafted by the Saints with the second overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, and he quickly established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic players.
In his rookie season, Bush rushed for 565 yards and caught 88 passes for 742 yards, earning him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He also returned two punts for touchdowns, showcasing his versatility and explosiveness.
Bush continued to be a major contributor for the Saints in the following years, helping the team win Super Bowl XLIV in 2009. He was also named a Pro Bowl selection in 2008 and 2010, and was named to the All-Pro First Team in 2008.
After leaving the Saints, Bush played for the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers. Although his production had decreased throughout his career, he continued to be a valuable contributor to his teams as a running back and returner. He retired from the NFL in 2017.
In total, Bush’s NFL career statistics include 5,490 rushing yards, 2,142 receiving yards, and 51 total touchdowns. He also returned six punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. Though his career was marked by injuries and inconsistency, he has remained one of the most recognisable and popular players of his era.
