Valentine Holmes says "it's crazy" the New York Jets have given him a chance to crack the NFL but plans on continuing to defy the doubters by making it.
Holmes admitted he was a nervous wreck when he fielded the phone call advising him the Jets had given him a shot at securing a spot on their team as part of an expansion of the International Player Pathway program.
Pathway players are only eligible to form part of a team's practice squad in their first season, but Holmes will have the chance to force his way onto the full 53-man playing roster in 12 months' time.
"I'll prove them wrong," Holmes told Nine News.
"To be able to be given this opportunity is just something special and I'm one step closer.
"I feel like I've got my foot in the door and I'm ready to kick it down."
While he may have upset many NRL fans with his pre-season walk-out from Cronulla to pursue his great American dream, the former premiership winner and Queensland State Origin and Australian Test star has no regrets.
"It might seem selfish," Holmes said.
"But I'm a competitor and I like to compete and I just wanted to challenge myself, my body, and everyone knows how good athletes they are over in America.
"I think it's the pinnacle of sport, (the NFL)."
One man convinced Holmes will make it is Queensland Origin coach Kevin Walters, who confessed to being "certainly on board" the 23-year-old's journey.
"I think it's tremendous what's happening for him," Walters told Fox Sports' Queenslanders Only program.
"I'm a little bit annoyed that he won't be playing for the Maroons this year. That's a selfish point of view from a Queensland point of view.
"But from Valentine's point of view, I'm sure he's got a clear picture in his mind on what he wants to do and how he's going to get there.
"There's got to be a process for that to happen and, knowing Valentine and how strong he his with his goals and how determined he is, I'm backing him in to make it.
"I think he can do it."
