New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan spent the last few days following Sunday’s win over the Green Bay Packers in London dealing with a visa issue, leaving him unable to return to America.
Gillan, a native Scotsman, came to America as a teenager with his father, a member of the Royal Air Force. The two entered the U.S. on a NATO visa.
Gillan was a rugby player before coming to America, and “did not play football until midway through his senior season of high school in Maryland,” ESPN reported. Gillan went to Leonardtown High School in St. Mary’s County, before playing at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
The visa was never swapped over to a work visa when Gillan entered the NFL, according to the NFL Network. American diplomats have since helped him acquire a new passport, allowing him to return stateside.
Gillan came to the U.S. on a NATO visa with his father, and that designation never got changed to a work visa when he entered the NFL. Not Gillan’s fault – just slipped through the cracks. With help from U.S. diplomats, Gillan now has a new passport and is headed home soon. https://t.co/VrMol47fGv
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 11, 2022
Gillan had the issue and departed from London on Wednesday. He is expected back in the U.S. for practice on Thursday, the team said.
Giants kicker Graham Gano and long snapper Casey Kreiter wore T-shirts in the locker room after practice with “Free Jamie” written in dark ink. Gano put a Scottish flag under his message.
He should be available for the Giants’ Sunday home game against the Baltimore Ravens.
“Hopefully, we’ll see him tomorrow,” Daboll said Wednesday.
This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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