The Buffalo Bills drafted an English rugby player in the seventh round of the NFL draft.
Travis Clayton, 23, played in the eighth division and will now compete with some of the best athletes in the world for a place on the squad.
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The former winger has never played competitive football and faces a huge battle to prove his worth.
Clayton ran the 40 in 4.79 seconds at 6 feet 7 inches and over 300 pounds, which the Bills say is the fastest they have recorded for an offensive lineman in 10 years.
He has never played competitive football, but joined the NFL Academy in London in 2019 in a previous attempt to make the league.
After being selected with the 221st overall pick in the NFL Draft, fans got their first glimpse of the giant on stage,
“It’s like a carnival here,” Clayton after his appearance in Detroit.
“It was all a bit confusing, but luckily I managed to get to the stage in time, shuffled left, right and centre.
“I haven’t had any visits from the Bills, but hey, it’s the NFL, man.
“Buffalo came to me. Buffalo wanted me. I’m ready to work.
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“I don’t think that’s really going to happen until I get to Buffalo.
“But at the moment there is a world of emotions going on. It’s crazy.
“As rugby is also a team sport, I believe this helps tremendously.
“Most importantly, playing on the wing in rugby helps with the physical side and agility.”
Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer sent Clayton’s tape to general manager Brandon Beane.
“He was like, ‘Man, this guy is athletic. Obviously raw,'” Beane said.
“You know, I never really saw him play football.
“But I know he was a rugby player, boxer and by all accounts a great young man.
“And your measurables are impressing the page.”
“He doesn’t have that fierce personality off the field, but on it he has all these attributes.”
Former coach Richard Cheetham
Clayton has not played for former club Basingstoke since last March and came through the International Player Pathway.
He had previously worked at a supermarket and a job screening company before his big break.
His former coach Richard Cheetham told the BBC: “Every player and coach would say he’s a gentle giant.
“He doesn’t have that fierce personality off the field, but on it he has all these attributes.”
Clayton will be joined in the NFL by former rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit.
The Welsh prospect, who also played wing, will try to stand out as a running back or wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rees-Zammit signed a three-year deal with the Super Bowl champions and could also be used on kickoff returns.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
