NFL star Reggie Bush loses his mind over video of NRL giant rampaging through defenders: ‘This sport is crazy! Running like that with no helmet is nuts!’
- Clips of ex-New Zealand Warriors forward Iafeta Paleaaesina left Bush amazed
- The ex-NRL star is seen skitting defenders in the footage, which went viral
- Bush had previously attended a State of Origin game, calling it a ‘blood bath’
Ex-NFL star Reggie Bush has been left awestruck by a viral video of a former NRL star charging into the defensive line – branding the sport ‘crazy’ and a ‘blood bath’.
The former New Orleans, Miami and Detroit Running back – who once dated reality TV star Kim Kardashian – was reacting to footage of ex-New Zealand Warriors forward Iafeta Paleaaesina showing absolutely no self-preservation as he took the ball up during his 367-game career.
The Kiwi enforcer’s style of running hard and straight and churning through defenders saw the vision captioned ‘homie running like a rhino’ as Paleaaesina skittled his opponents.
Bush agreed, writing: ‘Now this sport is crazy! Lol! Running like that with no helmet is nuts!’
Paleaaesina replied, writing: ‘Greatest game of All Brother. If you’re looking for a team to follow @hullofficial’ – referring to the English team Hull FC, which he played for from 2014 to 2016.
Bush (pictured with then-partner Kim Kardashian in 2009) was blown away by a video of an NRL forward smashing through the defensive line
The vision showed ex-New Zealand Warriors forward Iafeta Paleaaesina (pictured) plowing through multiple defenders – leading Bush to brand him ‘crazy’ for playing with absolutely no self-preservation
Famed as an outstanding ball runner in his heyday, Bush knows a thing or two about beating defenders, as he showed during a career that saw him clock up 5,490 yards on the ground and win a Super Bowl title with the Saints in 2010.
The Paleaaesina footage isn’t his first exposure to rugby league, however.
In 2014 he visited Sydney and took in one of the pinnacles of the sport: an Origin clash between NSW and hated rivals Queensland, with the games famous for their physical intensity and no-holds-barred play.
When a fan who saw his reaction to the Paleaaesina video advised him to watch one of the interstate clashes, Bush replied, ‘I’ve been to State of Origin once and it was a blood bath someone getting carted off the field every 5 minutes. ‘
Bush (pictured playing for the Detroit Lions) was an exceptional ball runner during his career, racking up close to 5,500 yards and winning a Super Bowl with New Orleans
Paleaaesina went through defenders like they were made of balsa wood in the clip that left Bush amazed
NRL great Steve Price – who had more than his fair share of hard hit-ups as he played 313 games for the Bulldogs and Warriors – chimed in as well, writing: ‘U would’ve loved playing our game @ReggieBush.’
Other footy fans advised Bush to keep watching clips and learning about the game, with some sending him more of Paleaaesina’s highlights and asking him to help spread the word about the ‘greatest game of all’.
Some rugby league players have tried their hand at gridiron – with mixed results.
NRL superstar Jarryd Hayne came close to forging a new career in the NFL in 2015, impressing as a running back and punt returner for the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason despite never playing the sport before, but he was cut by the team later that year .
North Queensland Cowboys winger Valentine Holmes tried to follow in his footsteps with the New York Jets in 2019 – but unlike Hayne, he was unable to make an impact and did not make the team for the regular season.
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