ALEX GRAY KNEW his professional sporting career would involve an oval ball but — while he was winning Grand Slams with England — he probably never dreamt it would be of the NFL variety.
The former U16, U18, U20 and Sevens international captain also had spells with Newcastle Falcons and London Irish during his rugby career.
However, after an injury put him out of the Sevens tournament at the Rio Olympics he chose not to continue his rugby career, deciding instead to switch to American football.
“I have been working hard for this goal and to be told it was going to happen was an amazing moment,” he told NFL.com.
“This is the start of another journey. It is a fantastic thing that is happening, but I am not going to get to where I want to be without keeping myself grounded.
Making the decision to give this my all from rugby, there was a big transition period and it was mentally very humbling.
“When you have to start from scratch again, that was a huge mental battle for me. When I look back I will be very proud of the way I approached this.”
Gray, a tight end, is one of four players who have been training alongside NFL players and draft hopefuls in Florida for the past three months under the tutelage of two-time Super Bowl winner with the New York Giants, Osi Umenyiora, and NFLUK head of football development, Aden Durde.
He will join up with the Super Bowl LI-losing Atlanta Falcons as an 11th practise squad member as part of the NFL’s new International Player Pathway programme.
While none of the four — the other three being Alex Jenkins (New Orleans Saints), Eric Nzeocha (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Efe Obada (Carolina Panthers) — can be activated to play this season, they also can’t be cut from the team.
It is hoped this security, plus spending time embedded with teams, will give them an opportunity to improve their skills and understanding of the game with a view to competing for a roster position next season.
Mark Waller of the NFL says this is an important step in growing the sport internationally:
“We are building this pathway program in order to provide international athletes with the opportunity to play in the league, which will increase the pool of talent, develop heroes who can inspire others and drive fan growth.”
