Jay Summers has also represented Australia in American football. Photos: Supplied.
A former Griffith Swans Australian rules player has become captain of a prestigious college gridiron team in the United States.
Jay Summers left Australia to pursue his dream in 2024, playing his first season for Snow College in the small town of Ephraim in Utah after receiving a scholarship.
He started his second season this month after being handed the honour of captaincy, at the age of just 21.
“He’s gone to the other side of the world by himself, somewhere where he didn’t know anyone,” dad Shane said.
“Then within a year, he’s made captain, a role that usually goes to quarterbacks. He’d probably be the first Australian college football captain ever.”
College football is a big deal in America. It attracts huge crowds and live-TV coverage, and is a recruiting ground for the multibillion-dollar National Football League (NFL).
Summers plays as a punter, the player who receives the ball directly from the line of scrimmage and then kicks it downfield to gain yardage. Region caught up with him to find out about his football career and life in America.
What does the role of captain entail?
I decide the coin toss and do media conferences and meetings with the coaches a couple of times a week. I just try and be a leader for the team, not by being the loudest but by setting an example and gaining the trust of the other players.
How was your captaincy debut?
We played our first game of the season on the weekend against the Utah Islanders and came away with a 59-7 win. It was very convincing. They pushed us hard at training over the past four months and I really feel like I’m now living the dream.
Is American college life just like it is in the movies?
Yeah, pretty much, it’s awesome. There’s no real frat parties at my school; it’s small and religious. But when we travel to Salt Lake City, we get escorted off the buses and airports, it’s a surreal movie-like experience, like what every kid grows up dreaming of doing.
How does life in Utah compare to Griffith?
It’s quite similar in some ways. I live in a small town about an hour away from Salt Lake City, half the size of Leeton, plus about 5000 students who live here, which triples the population. But the weather here is quite extreme – in winter it gets down to minus 20.
It’s not always smiles and rainbows being so far away when you’re so young. I have to thank my parents and friends who supported me. My friends here have been great. I’ve had Thanksgiving dinners and joined in with all their activities. They’ve made me feel welcome.
Summers plays as a punter for Snow College in Utah.
Do you get homesick?
I obviously miss family and friends, but we’re so busy there’s no time to be homesick.
What’s your training routine?
In the spring, we have four lifts a week and five practices a week. In season, it’s one practice a day and two lifts a week.
Does being in college football mean you’re studying too?
Yes, I’m doing a degree in Communication and Rhetoric. It’s a course that teaches me life skills and improves my public speaking.
What would you say to young Griffith footballers considering trying to make it in America?
Just go for it. It’s a big step and very scary, but it’s one of the best decisions I ever made. I was lucky enough to have a supportive family. You’ve only got one life, so you just may as well make the best of it.
Have your skills improved since playing Aussie rules?
I’ve gotten a lot stronger here with the college workouts and meal preps. I was originally here as a receiver and feel more explosive with my bursts and strides.
What’s your ultimate dream?
The dream would be to play NFL, who wouldn’t want to do that? But I’m not that focused on that at the moment, I’m taking it as it comes.
Is it possible for those of us in Australia to watch you play?
We have a YouTube channel that streams the games live, and you can watch them on there for free. My next match is next week in Kansas.
