19-Year-Old Football Recruit Breaks Down in Tears Over Missing Family in Emotional Press Conference: 'That's the Tough Part'

NEED TO KNOW

• Australian punter Archie Wilson got candid in a preseason press conference when asked about missing his family back home
• The University of Nebraska recruit broke down in tears over being away from home for the first time at age 19
• Wilson said he and his family both feel he's in the right place, but admitted it's been hard to be apart from his loved ones

One college athlete is showing his vulnerable side off the field. 

Australian punter Archie Wilson is a former rugby player recruited to play for the University of Nebraska Huskers football team in Lincoln, Neb.

As the 19-year-old prepares to begin his first season as the team’s punter, Wilson is far from home for the first time in his life. During a touching moment in an Aug. 12 press conference, one reporter asked Wilson what it’s like to be away from his family during this time.

“Yeah, that part’s hard. I mean, I’m sorry,” Wilson admitted before openly weeping and placing his head down at the podium. 

Trying to compose himself as tears streamed down his face, Wilson added, “Yeah, I love them a lot. I’ve got two little brothers and my mom and a dad, and that’s the tough part of being here."

"I love them a lot, and I miss them,” he shared.  

However, Wilson — who is Frankston South, Victoria, and was recruited through the company Prokick, which works with Australian athletes to get them involved in American football — said both he and his family feel that this is the right place for him. 

“But they know this is what’s best for me. It’s cool I can still talk to them plenty over the phone and they’re coming here to see the first few games, so I’m looking forward to that,” he said. 

Despite his homesickness, Wilson said he’s “really excited” to play his first game for Nebraska at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Thursday, Aug. 28. 

“I don’t normally get too nervous when it comes to things,” he shared, grinning. “This is a whole different level, but I’m more excited.”

As for how the decision came for him to spend the next four years in Nebraska, Wilson shared that it was mostly out of his hands. 

“Coach John Smith just came up to me one morning and was like, 'Hey, Archie, you're going to Nebraska.' I was like, 'Cool,’ ” he said. 

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However, the Aussie quickly did his research on Lincoln, adding, “I got into the college football side of things because I knew I was going to be coming here.” 

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Head coach Matt Rhule said in the same press conference, "I just could watch Archie punt all day. I've never seen anything like it; it's like watching a YouTube Short."

He added, "The guy's amazing at what he does.”

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