Back to the New York Jets Newsfeed

Jets See a New Role for a Former Discus Thrower

The Jets have signed Lawrence Okoye, a former discus thrower who holds the British record in that sport and who competed in the 2012 London Olympics, to the practice squad as an offensive lineman.

The 6-foot-6, 304-pound Okoye put his discus career aside in 2013 to pursue an N.F.L. career despite never having played football in high school or college. He was signed as a defensive lineman by the 49ers that year.

Okoye spent his rookie season on injured reserve and last year on San Francisco’s practice squad. He was cut after training camp this summer and signed to Arizona’s practice squad in September — also as a defensive lineman.