
Share
19th January 2022
11:12am GMT

"When we were renovating our stadium," Schwartz recalled, "we basically took over their rugby field and converted it into a turf football practice field. And, of course, the rugby team are sitting there thinking, 'These guys... we're way better than them!' "We built all these bungalows up there and had meetings, and completely took over their field. They were pissed at us. We like their championships - they add to the school.""In part of the cost-cutting measures, they were talking about cutting rugby, at some point," Schwartz added. "And, again, they were like, 'We are the BEST team at this school. Why are you trying to get rid of us?!'" Schwartz, who was a main part of the offensive line that ran with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, on the way to two AFC titles and that 2019 Super Bowl, was happy to admit rugby players are tougher and more athletic than many in American football. [caption id="attachment_247145" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts with teammates Eric Fisher #72 and Mitchell Schwartz #71 after a fourth quarter touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans in January 2020. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)[/caption]
"The thing with the rugby guys is, they are way more athletic than offensive linemen, because they have to run. "Sure, Haloti Ngata [Super Bowl champion with the Baltimore Ravens] used to play rugby and Jordan Mailata, who is left tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles. He's a rugby guy. "Every now and then you get the guy who is this 6-foot-5, 300-pounder that just steamrolls people. But, for most guys, that's way too much running. I'd be happy with my two- or three-yard maximum sprint window. "They are also just nuts. They have that hockey player mentality, more so than football. On the whole, they're probably that bit more tougher and crazier than football players."There we have one of the most combative offensive linesmen of the past NFL decade freely admitting that rugby players have that something extra special. Use it as a trump card in the future, rugby fans, but do not expect the arguments to stop.
Explore more on these topics: