Professional rugby player Sam Golla is living his American Dream as a member of the Dallas Jackals. 

Golla was born in Arlington and raised in Denver. He returned to The American Dream City drafted as the No. 1 overall selection in the 2022 Major League Rugby (MLR) Collegiate Draft. The forward shined in his first season in the MLR as he was named the 2023 Sportsbreaks.com Rookie of the Year.

Anchoring the second row, Golla bested all rookies in nearly every category, including minutes played and ball carries. He logged 1,234 minutes and posted 98 carries and ranked fifth among all players in tackles with 213. Golla appeared in every match and recorded 17 points on three tries. He punched in a critical try in the franchise’s first victory and provided leadership in the locker room. 

City of Arlington Mayor Jim R. Ross proclaimed Oct. 24, 2023, as “Sam Golla Day” to honor Golla’s dedication to the sport, his outstanding athletic accomplishments, and his commitment to improving the community.

Golla began playing rugby at Denver East (Colorado) High School. He captained the side to a state championship in 2017 as a senior. In college, the towering star excelled at the University of California, Berkeley and captained the Golden Bears in 2021 and 2022. Golla went 27-1 in his senior year and was a finalist for the Rudy Scholz Award in 2022. The honor is annually presented to the best college player in the country.

The Jackals are a professional rugby team that plays at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Jackals are members of Major League Rugby.

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