The NFL is extremely popular, particularly in the United States. However, that does not mean all NFL players are well-known, household names, especially when they are spotted away from the field. Quarterbacks are the most recognizable NFL players, but even they can go unnoticed at times.
During Super Bowl week, that was the case for New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, who got humbled by an Olympic athlete when they crossed paths at a Super Bowl party.
Olympic Star Ilona Maher Humbles Jaxson Dart at Super Bowl Party
Many athletes from around the country spend time in the Super Bowl city during the week leading up to the game. That was the case for a US Olympic rugby player, Ilona Maher.
She spoke on the “House of Maher” podcast about how she humbled Dart at a Giants party hosted by Cam Skattebo by not recognizing him.
Here is how the entire conversation went, according to Maher.
Maher said: “Hey, what’s up, man?”
Dart responded: “Hey.”
Maher said: “So, you play football?”
Dart: “Yeah…”
Maher: “That’s awesome, what team you play for?”
Dart: “The Giants.”
Maher: “Sweet man, sweet, that’s awesome. What position are you?”
Dart: “I’m the quarterback…”
Maher describes Dart as seeming caught off guard since it was a Giants party and he wasn’t recognized.
Then Maher’s friend, Kasey, had a similarly awkward interaction with Jameis Winston.
“She had a football in hand, and one of the football players tried (gestured) to take it from her, and she goes, ‘You know ball?'” Maher said with a laugh before revealing it was Winston. Winston looked at her confused and walked away.
“That was so funny… This was a party for the Giants and we were humbling these guys left and right!” Maher said. “Like, ‘Okay, very cool!'”
Dart was a rookie last season, so he is not yet an established NFL star just yet. Maher mentioned that Dart recognized her, which is rare, as not many people are familiar with women’s rugby.
For those unfamiliar, Maher is a two-time Olympian and rugby player, and a bronze medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She has accomplished a great deal in her career and continues to receive recognition for a lesser-known American sport.
Is Dart a Franchise QB?
As for Dart, he hopes to make a name for himself in 2026, when he is the full-time starting quarterback in New York.
He enters year two with a new head coach in John Harbaugh and a new offensive coordinator in Matt Nagy. How Dart develops in year two will play a major role in this team’s performance.
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
One of the biggest issues for Dart during his rookie season was staying on the field. He played quarterback like a running back and did not seem worried about the toll it would take on his body. When healthy, Dart was the No. 18-ranked QB in the league, according to PFSN’s QB Impact metric.
He must learn to slide and avoid taking massive hits, or he will spend more time on the shelf than on the field.
