Utah Man Books Last Minute Red Eye In Hopes Of Landing NFL Kicking Job

Sep 12, 2019, 1:48 PM

Le'Veon Bell #26 of the New York Jets celebrates scoring a touchdown on a pass thrown by Sam Darnol...

Le'Veon Bell #26 of the New York Jets celebrates scoring a touchdown on a pass thrown by Sam Darnold (not pictured) during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on September 8, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Salt Lake City man stood outside the New York Jets practice facility on Tuesday while the team held kicker tryouts. Josh Henshaw, 30, was hopeful the Jets would take notice and invite him into the session.

Late last week, a friend sent him a text message, notifying Henshaw of the kicker tryouts the Jets were having. After digging into the story, and realizing that the tryouts were in fact closed to the public, Henshaw decided to book a flight and hope his luck prevailed him.

He jumped on an 8:30 p.m flight Monday evening and was headed to Newark, New Jersey with a quick pit stop in Phoenix. He arrived at 6:30 a.m. and jumped in an Uber straight to the Jets practice facility.

“I’ve been trying to get any opportunity that I can at the NFL level since I graduated college. I have sent film, phone calls, emails, everything to different people around the NFL at all 32 teams. I have not gotten any response. This opportunity came up, I had one of my connections in the football world tell me that there is a pretty good chance they could get me in front of the Jets.” Henshaw said.

Henshaw stood at the intersection just outside the facility for up to 10 hours with a sign that read “Please let me kick. Took the red-eye from Salt Lake. 92 percent last five seasons at Semi-pro. 57 yard long in-game. Have film, just need a shot. 92 percent on field goals.”

Unfortunately, Henshaw’s persistence did not work. Later on Tuesday he jumped back on an airplane and returned home to Salt Lake City.

Kicking History

Henshaw played at Lackawanna Junior College, before playing for the University of Vermont football club team and a semi-pro team. He has never had an NFL try out but seems adamant to do everything he can to help better his chances.

“I started playing football in general at the age of 5.” Henshaw told Tom Hackett on Special Forces Gang.

Henshaw believes he can play at the NFL. He is adamant to turn his dream into reality.

Hopefully, his actions can inspire others around the world to chase their dreams and pursue what most consider unrealistic goals.

Henshaw may never make the NFL, he may chase the dream forever, but at least he knows he did everything in his power to make it happen and can look back on his actions with pride.

Full Interview

Special Forces Gang is hosted by former Utah Football specialists Tom Hackett and Andy Phillips. Subscribe to Special Forces Gang wherever you find podcasts or on the KSL Sports app. 

 

 

 

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Utah Man Books Last Minute Red Eye In Hopes Of Landing NFL Kicking Job