KERNERSVILLE, N.C. -- WFMY News 2 met the newest Carolina Panther, Eric Wallace in his first television interview since signing with the team he grew up rooting for.
Wallace's story is anything but ordinary. If you recognize the name Eric Wallace, it's because he was a star basketball player with Glenn High School about ten years ago. He received many scholarship offers from several ACC schools but instead chose Ohio State. Wallace also played for DePaul and Seattle.
In an unexpected twist of events, Wallace was offered an opportunity to participate in the Australian Rules Football combine in Los Angeles after college. Wallace did enough to impress scouts that he earned a spot with the North Melbourne Kangaroos. For the past three seasons, Wallace played down under in the AFL.
Last November, Eric Wallace decided to take a leap of faith and chase a dream. He came back home to North Carolina and dedicated himself to preparing for the NFL. He got his first opportunity when the New Orleans Saints asked Wallace to participate in training camp.
Once camp ended with the Saints, Wallace stayed determined and sought out Panthers Wide Receiver Coach Ricky Proehl.
Wallace described that first meeting with Proehl, "I think I want to play for the Panthers and I think it was a quick chuckle at first, then, oh you’re serious?"
On Monday morning, Wallace worked out for the entire Panthers staff. By Monday afternoon, the team signed him to a three-year deal.
"I was a fan last night, now I’m going to training camp. It was surreal."
But Wallace is staying hungry and humble.
"I'm ecstatic, I'm eternally grateful, but I also know there’s some work to be done. I have a lot to learn from Greg Olsen, Ed Dickson, coaches, I got a lot to learn to play in the NFL."
FACEBOOK EXTRA: Eric Wallace Talks About Chasing the Dream
