Former UNLV quarterback Kurt Palandech flew over to Japan in February to try out for the Nojima Sagamihara Rise, a trip that led to a contract with the X League Club.
Then came the hard part — a monthslong delay in joining the team due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After finally arriving in Japan last month, Palandech was unable to suit up in time for Sagamihara’s season opener on Oct. 24, in which they fell 48-3 to the four-time defending champion Fujitsu Frontiers.
Speaking to The Japan Times following a training session at Nojima Football Park, the team’s training facility, Palandech described his frustration at having to wait out travel restrictions as well as a two-week quarantine that kept him off the field until late October.