Across the Pond: British players in the NFL
With the 17th instalment of the NFL London Games recently concluded, we reflect on the legacy that the sport is leaving on these shores. The number of British players in the NFL is growing, with Travis Clayton selected in this year’s draft, and ex-Wales and British & Irish Lions winger Louis Rees-Zammit is the latest to try and make it across the pond.
He returned to the UK this year as part of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ travelling party. A graduate of the International Player Pathway (IPP), the programme is the best example of the roots that the NFL is planting overseas, allowing athletes from other sports to learn the intricacies of gridiron football.
With that, let’s take a look at Brits past and present to have made an impact in the NFL.
Jay Ajayi, running back
Born in London before moving to the US aged seven, Ajayi was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 5th round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
He spent two years in Florida before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played a key role as the lead running-back in Philly’s first ever Super Bowl triumph in 2017, rushing for 57 yards as they defeated the Tom Brady-led Patriots 41-33.
Ajayi finished his career with 2,965 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns.
Travis Clayton, offensive tackle
Another graduate of the IPP, Clayton grew up playing rugby and also spent time in Chelsea’s academy before his transition to the NFL.
He was just the second-ever player to be drafted from the IPP, after the Eagles’ Jordan Mailata, when the Buffalo Bills selected him in the 7th round of the 2024 Draft.
Standing 6ft 8in and weighing over 150kg, Clayton has all the physical attributes to be an offensive tackle in the league.
Sadly, he will miss all of his rookie year after suffering a shoulder injury in preseason.
Jack Crawford, defensive end/defensive tackle
After going to school with Daniel Radcliffe, Jack Crawford took a rather different career path.
He secured a scholarship at Penn State University before being drafted by the then-Oakland Raiders (now Las Vegas) in the 5th round in 2012.
One of the UK’s most successful exports to the NFL, Crawford spent two years with the Raiders, before three years each at the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons.
The defensive lineman played one season for the Tennessee Titans, and then had an injury curtailed season with the Arizona Cardinals before retiring in 2022.
Crawford finished his career with 109 games and 18 sacks.
Jermaine Eluemunor, offensive tackle
Growing up in north London before moving across the pond at 14 years of age, Eluemunor went to college at Texas A&M.
After being drafted in the 5th round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2017, he initially played as a right guard for them and then the New England Patriots.
His breakthrough came when he changed position to right tackle, and he played every game of the 2022 and 2023 season there for the Raiders.
After his successful stint in Vegas, this past offseason Eluemunor signed a 2-year, $14 million deal with the New York Giants.
Jamie Gillan, punter
Nicknamed the “Scottish Hammer”, the punter from Morayshire went undrafted in 2019 before being picked up by the Cleveland Browns.
He made the NFL All-Rookie team in his debut year before being released in 2021, and after a brief spell on the Bills’ practice squad, Gillan has been the Giants’ punter since 2022.
Efe Obada, defensive end
Obada’s story is truly inspirational. Born in Nigeria, he spent time in the Netherlands and was then trafficked into the UK at the age of 10. He was left on the streets and then grew up in foster care.
After learning the sport with the London Warriors, he was signed by the Cowboys after a tip from British coach Aden Durde – now defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.
It didn’t work out in Dallas, and he had short stints with the Chiefs and Falcons before returning to the IPP. He was picked up by the Carolina Panthers and made an instant impact, with a sack, interception and forced fumble on his debut.
After spending three years there, he made the playoffs with the Bills in 2021, and has been with the Washington Commanders since 2022. He has 15 sacks in 72 games through his career so far.
David Ojabo, linebacker
Nigerian-born but raised in Aberdeen, Ojabo learnt his trade under Jim Harbaugh at the University of Michigan, and was later drafted by his brother John Harbaugh with the Ravens in 2022.
His 2nd-round spot in the draft highlighted his potential, but injuries have prevented him from truly fulfilling it so far. Ojabo has 3 sacks in his career in Baltimore to this point.
Louis Rees-Zammit, running back/wide receiver
Perhaps the most familiar name on this list to UK readers is the one who has made the least impact so far. The former Wales rugby star was always going to struggle initially learning an entirely new sport.
After signing with the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs, they tried him at running back and on special teams in preseason before he was released.
Now with the Jaguars’ practice squad, he believes he is a better fit at wide receiver. As Coach Doug Pederson said, “Being on the practice squad, you never know, you are a play or two away from being elevated to the roster.”
Lawrence Tynes, kicker
Born in Greenock, Scotland and a huge Celtic fan, Tynes made his name producing clutch kicks in the highest-pressure situations, and has two Super Bowl rings to show for it, both for the Giants.
After two separate spells with the Chiefs, he went to New York in 2007 and etched his name in history there. In both Super Bowl runs, Tynes converted game-winning field-goals in overtime of the NFC Championship games.
In 2008, he silenced Lambeau Field by nailing a 47-yard field goal to defeat the Green Bay Packers. Then in 2012, he repeated the trick from 31 yards to break the 49ers’ hearts.
He is the only kicker in NFL history to have two game-winners in the playoffs in overtime.
Osi Umenyiora, defensive end
Now a familiar fixture on British TV coverage of the NFL, Osi was an integral part of the same victorious Giants teams in 2008 and 2012. This year, he was inducted into the inaugural NFL International Ring of Honour.
Born in London, Umenyiora is the best Brit to have played the sport. As well as his two Lombardi Trophies, he was a first and second team All-Pro, voted to the Pro Bowl twice and is part of the Giants’ Ring of Honor.
After a hugely successful ten-year spell in New York, Osi ended his career after two seasons with the Falcons.
The defensive end finished with 85 sacks, 35 forced fumbles and 5 defensive touchdowns in 129 games. The UK GOAT.
Christian Wade, running back
Another rugby player to try and make the switch, Wade scored 82 tries in seven years for Wasps before entering the IPP.
After signing with the Bills, he had a dream start, scoring a 65-yard touchdown on his first ever carry.
However, that was as good as it got for Wade, as he never made it off the Bills’ practice squad before being released in 2022.
Interestingly, this season he signed for Gloucester – replacing Louis Rees-Zammit.
