Former Gold Coast Suns player Patrick Murtagh has signed with NFL club Jacksonville Jaguars

A former Gold Coast Suns AFL-listed player has become the next Aussie to join the NFL’s ranks, penning a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is how he plans to spend his ‘great pay cheque’.

Former Gold Coast Suns player Patrick Murtagh has signed with NFL club Jacksonville Jaguars. Picture: Taken from Jacksonville Facebook page.

Jacksonville Jaguars recruit Patrick Murtagh will help set up his mum financially after becoming the latest Australian to sign with an NFL club.

The former Gold Coast Suns player signed with the NFL franchise on Tuesday morning (AEST) after impressing the Jaguars in a recent workout.

The 196cm talent told Jacksonville he already knew how he would spend his undisclosed pay cheque.

“My parents have been a massive influence in my life, I look up to my (late) dad (Michael) for a lot of things,” Murtagh said to Jacksonville social media team.

“Three years ago, we lost dad, so seeing mum (Vala) on her own trying battle her way looking after my sister and I is very empowering.

Former Gold Coast Suns player Patrick Murtagh has signed with NFL club Jacksonville Jaguars. Picture: Taken from Jacksonville Facebook page.

“I really want to give back to her and give her the life she deserves, knowing that what I am doing is not only making her proud but my dad proud.

“With playing football as well comes a great pay cheque, so knowing that can help set up my mum and as I said give her the life she deserves, she can relax.

“And I guess enjoy and get ourselves back on track from after we lost dad three years ago.”

Gold Coast Suns development coach Rhyce Shaw, who mentored Murtagh for some time at the Suns said it was a reflection of the athlete’s character.

“When he lost his dad, they were really tight but he has always had his family in mind,” Shaw said.

“That was part of the reason he followed his journey in the AFL was to look after his family.

“And that doesn’t sound unfamiliar to me, he is always trying to look after his mum as much as he can.

“It is really good to see that he is still that way.”

It’s understood the 24-year-old also had multiple other workouts with other clubs after a stunning performance at one of the league’s most recent Pro Days.

Murtagh has been signed through the NFL’s International Pathway Program and is attempting to make a career as a tight end.

His IPP status means he can remain with Jacksonville through the club’s training camp and even if he doesn’t make the final 53-man roster he can stay on as a development player on its practice squad.

It’s an incredible comeback for Murtagh who was initially signed by the Detroit Lions in 2023 before a cruel setback due to a hip injury cost him his spot on the club’s roster.

He bounced back and some recent rule changes meant any of the 32 NFL clubs could sign an international player in 2024.

Shaw said he received calls from the NFL in 2023 about Murtagh.

“When he went and tried out the first time and eventually got picked up by Detroit but it didn’t work out,” Shaw said.

“I spent a bit of time with Sam Coen, who is involved with NFL Australia and sat down with a group of them one afternoon and it was really interesting to hear the questions.

“They wanted to know what Paddy was like, what his attributes were from an AFL perspective, how he was successful, how I successfully coached him or what didn’t work when I was coaching him, what I thought could transfer.

“It was really cool for me to experience but obviously they were really keen on Paddy and what he could bring and the potential in that sport.”

Patrick Murtagh during a Gold Coast Suns AFL training session in 2020. Picture: Matt Roberts/ Getty Images

Murtagh, who spent three seasons with the Suns AFL club, is a raw athlete with a strong track background competing in the triple jump, high jump and several other events including winning the state decathlon championship.

Former Gold Coast Suns teammate Sam Day said the club was watching closely to see if Murtagh got picked up.

“The way he kind of applied himself, he had a bit of a hiccup last year, (but) did all the hard work and did a couple of camps,” Day said.

“But he had a little setback with medical and some injury stuff.

“(Then) got everything sorted out that he needed to, some surgeries and rehab

“And then gone through the process again, with the discipline and perseverance by him and then been picked up again through Jacksonville.

“Really exciting for him, we have a bit of a following at the club, so all the boys will be pumped to hopefully see him have a run around next year.”

Originally published as Former Gold Coast Suns player Patrick Murtagh has signed with NFL club Jacksonville Jaguars