USA Rugby star Ilona Maher has ignited inspiration among NFL players with her dazzling performance against Japan.
Derrick Henry, the Baltimore Ravens’ new running back, expressed his admiration for Maher’s viral highlight from Team USA’s impressive 36-7 victory over Japan.
‘She’s impressive,’ stated the 30-year-old powerhouse and former Heisman Trophy recipient. ‘She’s tough.
‘She has the right mindset, running with strength and determination,’ he elaborated. ‘She refuses to go down, working to reach the end zone at all costs. It made me want to hit the field.
Maher, hailing from Burlington, Vermont, made a remarkable long conversion from just behind her own 22-meter line, showcasing her strength with a powerful stiff-arm against a Japanese player, allowing her to dash towards the try line that extended Team USA’s lead to 22-7.
Ilona Maher of the United States runs over a Team Japan player during her team’s win
Derrick Henry, who is starting his first year in Baltimore, was inspired by Maher’s impressive run
Despite Maher and Team USA’s loss to New Zealand in the semifinal on Tuesday, they remain hopeful for a medal in the subsequent third-place match against Australia.
Alev Kelter opened the scoring for the U.S., but New Zealand quickly took a 7-5 advantage when Stacy Waaka secured her first of two tries.
Just before halftime, Waaka scored again, this time extending the lead to 12-5 by exploiting space on the wide side of the field.
As ‘U-S-A! U-S-A!’ chants began to percolate through the crowd, they swiftly dimmed when Michaele Blyde crossed for her first of two tries, putting New Zealand ahead 19-5.
Blyde powered through Ariana Ramsey to score in the corner before the Americans executed a late rally with Kristi Kirshe breaking through two tackles to score.
With New Zealand advancing to face Canada in the finals, Henry was not the only NFL star moved by Maher’s feat.
Jason Kelce attended the U.S. women’s rugby sevens Olympic matches in Paris and emerged as a significant supporter.
The recently retired Philadelphia Eagles center, alongside his wife Kylie, met Maher and the U.S. women’s sevens team after their initial two matches at Stade de France.
Ilona Maher of the United States celebrating a try in her team’s victory over Japan
The NFL veteran, donning a stylish beret and a form-fitting U.S. rugby jersey, engaged in an arm wrestling match with teammate Nicole Heavirland, documented on Instagram, and joined Maher in a lighthearted recruitment pitch.
Maher playfully proposed that Kelce become an official super fan, joking that he would receive no compensation but just needed to say the words to accept the offer.
It was a sales pitch he couldn’t resist.
‘I am officially a fan. Women’s rugby, Olympics,’ Kelce declared in the video shared on Maher’s Instagram.
Maher, who scored an early try against France, shared her previous connection with Kylie Kelce, expressing excitement about having both Kylie and Jason at the matches.
‘It’s really awesome because Kylie and I have talked before. She’s a fantastic advocate for women’s sports,’ Maher noted. Having Jason there was an added bonus, emphasizing his support as a father of daughters.
‘So for him to show his support meant a lot.’
