Christian Wade to start training next week in bid to become latest Brit to thrive in NFL

The Lions, England and Wasps winger swapped egg-chasing for gridiron after falling out of love with the game.


Wade is the third player in the last two years to attempt to make the switch following ex-England Sevens captain Alex Gray, now at the Atlanta Falcons, and Worcester Warriors Christian Scotland-Williamson who joined the Pittsburgh Steelers.

And as he chases the American dream Wade, 27, said: "I’m going to be starting my training regime literally next week and it’s a huge mountain to climb.

“There’s so much to learn in such a small space of time.

“But for me I’ve always been someone who’s always given it 100 per cent and my aim is to give it the best I can and hopefully I can try and compete with these guys in the NFL.

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“There’s some phenomenal athletes but I believe in my skills and hopefully I’m good enough.”

Former British Olympic discus thrower Lawrence Okoye, 27, also made the transition after being tipped for big things in the NFL, but he now plays in the Canadian league.

Philadelphia Eagles star Jay Ajayi was at Wembley with his Super Bowl winners, but is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury – and spent his whole career focusing on American football.

It goes to show that with all the talent in the world, trying your talents out in the NFL is still a lottery.


Scotland-Williamson, who is now on the practice squad for the Steelers, has warned it could take THREE YEARS for Wade to see any game time.

But Wade has not taken the decision lightly.

He added: “It’s been a very difficult decision for me, giving up my career in rugby.

“Wasps have been so incredible to me, they’ve looked after me from the age of 16 all the way up to now and the fans have been great, the RFU have been great as well.

“Like I said, it’s been a very difficult decision for me to leave but I’ve now got the opportunity to go into the player pathway program like you’ve seen some of the other guys do.

“It’s something that I don’t take lightly.”

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