NFL’s Giants sign Zimbabwe-born defensive end Maponga

Stansly Maponga, a Zimbabwe-born defensive end, was signed by the New York Giants on Saturday ahead of their Monday night NFL contest at Miami.

Maponga grew up playing rugby until coming to the United States at age nine, where he was a standout in high school and college.

Maponga was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft and signed by the Giants off Atlanta’s practice squad.

The Giants had a roster vacancy after releasing Damontre Moore after a series of altercations with teammates, the latest over headphones.

Maponga has eight tackles, including a quarterback sack, and two fumble recoveries over 24 games with the Falcons over the past two seasons.

At 5-7, the Giants are level with Washington and Philadelphia for the NFC East division lead and a playoff spot.

After Miami, the Giants finish the season with games against undefeated Carolina, Minnesota and Philadelphia. AFP