They say everyone's journey through life is a unique one. Well that's true, but some are more than unique than others...

This week we speak to Alex Gray, a man who grew up playing rugby alongside Owen Farrell, Mako Vunipola, George Ford, Elliot Daly and Jonathan Joseph in the England age groups. Well, he didn't just play alongside those current England internationals, he captained them. Breaking into seniors he favoured rugby sevens, and should have gone to the 2016 Olympics in Rio but for injury. Needing a new challenge, Alex headed Stateside, spending the next four years working through the Combines to earn himself a place in the Atlanta Falcons squad.

Having recently left Atlanta in late 2020, we caught up with Alex just days before the 2021 Super Bowl, and discussed his journey through professional rugby and the NFL, his predictions for this year's Super Bowl and the Six Nations, how he never wore a jacket in Atlanta, how he went to Barnard Castle College ('thanks Dominic Cummings'), and he lifts the lid on the incredible physical and mental attributes required to make it to the top of the NFL.

It's a fascinating story, and as a non-NFL man myself (Tom) I can tell you I learnt so much from listening to Alex and hearing his story.

#superbowl #nfl #6nations #englandrugby #bathrugby #atlantafalcons #barnardcastle