Stona taking time with NFL decision

PARIS, France:

Having made history for Jamaica in the men's discus, newly crowned Olympic champion Roje Stona will have time to think of his future as he decides whether he will explore his National Football League (NFL) options seriously.

Stona won the Olympic title on Wednesday night with a record throw of 70 metres to become the competition's first non-European champion since 1976; and Jamaica's first Olympic champion in the event.

The Jamaican's road to Paris included an interesting stop, as he was invited to rookie camps with the Green Bay Packers earlier this year, as well as with the New Orleans Saints.

When asked about where his future lies, Stona said that he will not make any quick decision, although he said that the tryouts went well.

"For me, it went well, but it was very new to me. So I knew that the Olympic Games were coming up. At my first meet I qualified for the Olympics, so I might as well just go on with the season," he said.

"And I am here right now. I've got a lot of thinking to do, a lot of decisions to make and see what the way forward is," Stona said on Wednesday night at a press conference.

Stona acknowledged how hard the transition to learning a new sport was. His learning curve was acknowledged by NFL analyst Lance Zierlen on NFL.com, stating that while his discus and shot put background are distinct advantages, he was uncomfortable with running and catching drills.

"He will likely be targeted as a developmental project at tight end, where he will have to learn to block. If he's committed to making it he might be worth prioritising as an undrafted free agent," Zierlen assessed.

While those decisions will be made in due course, Stona was not just pleased to carve his name into history, but is optimistic of the talent that is waiting to emerge.

"We have got a lot more talent. We've got Ralford Mullings, we've got some juniors coming up," Stona said. "But I am glad that I was able to create history."