It’s early October. The Miami Dolphins limped off the field at Wembley after a tough 20-0 loss against the New Orleans Saints and Jay Ajayi, the London-born NFL star, had his homecoming subdued by a lackluster performance from Miami.
Few would have been able to predict the next few months of what has been a whirlwind journey for the face of UK NFL. Only 30 days later, and to the surprise of everybody including himself, Ajayi would be traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I found out basically when everybody else found out. I left a few hours after that and after I had some time to step back and recollect and understand what went on, I was grateful. I believe I was placed in a place I could succeed.
“To come from a place we weren’t performing well, to come to a team that is successful and has a great locker room brotherhood, I felt appreciated which was the most important thing for me. Added to the fact the team is amazing and brilliant and we are able to perform at a high level, it made the move a lost easier.”
#ToNFLandBack: Episode 4
🏈 @RocketLongJOE has gone from @NFL novice to guru in just four weeks…
w/ @NFLUK pic.twitter.com/QtaFFWZY2l
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) February 4, 2018
Ajayi sat down to speak to us via conference, discussing the Super Bowl, NFL UK and his personal life. The discussion started on the trade from Miami to the Eagles. What thoughts were going through his head, did he even consider he could make it to the Super Bowl?
“It’s a blessing. From the moment I was traded I understood I was coming to a contender. There was a likelihood this team would be in this position. It was really just about myself coming in and doing whatever I could with my ability to help this team to get to this point. It’s just about finishing; it’s not about just getting here. We want to win; we’re going to win. That’s the plan.”
The Eagles finished the season 13 – 3, securing the top seed in the NFC, but a season-ending injury to star second year quarterback Carson Wentz, cast doubt over the Eagles ability to continue that run. That left them with the fabled under dog tag, something Jay explains he’s accustomed too.
“I’ve always been an underdog throughout my career, I’ve had a chip on my shoulder, that role is nothing new to me. I’ve always felt like it’s that much sweeter when people don’t believe in you and count you out. Regardless, if we are underdogs or favoutires, we have the same task which is to play in the Super Bowl.”
🏈 There's nothing like a locker room atmosphere after a big @NFL win. Here's why…#ToNFLandBack w/ @NFLUK pic.twitter.com/9ebAb7Pg0Z
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) February 4, 2018
“I’m closer to my dream”
The images coming out of Lincoln Financial Field following the win against Minnesota solidified that statement. JayTrain, as he’s affectionately come to be known, lying in a heap on the Eagles home field, tears streaming from his face. It was the stark realization that the underdog had made it, almost, all of the way.
“It was just the realisation of the opportunity of playing in the Super Bowl, the final game, the big stage, all of the guys that play in the NFL, all the kids growing up playing football dream of the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl. The realisation I’m closer to my dream.”
After discussing the whirlwind weeks and months from the trade to the play-off journey, Ajayi’s attention turned to the matter at hand: Super Bowl 52, the biggest game of his young career, against one of the world’s greatest sporting dynasties.
“It’s all about leaving it all on the line when we’re out there”
The Patriots are no strangers to Ajayi, who faced off against them twice a season as a divisional rival in Miami, and he intends to use that experience to his benefit.
“It’s an advantage for myself, that I was ale to play them so often when I was in Miami. I’m familiar with the team they are and draw from those experiences. It’s still a new game, but it definitely helps.
“It’s just sharing my experiences, but obviously I’m with a different team now so we have different schemes, but the Patriots are a quality team and you have to bring your A game because they are a great team. It’s now just about focusing on this game, this is it. It’s all about leaving it all on the line when we’re out there.”
Why @NFL players are so stacked… 💪 🏋️ 🏈#ToNFLandBack w/ @NFLUK pic.twitter.com/DGTcKdifNL
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) February 4, 2018
Defiant in his mood, driven and focused, Jay was also keen to remind us just how much his friends and family back home in London understand the importance of this game.
“This is it! Talking to my friends in Europe and family in London, I tell them it’s like the Champions league Final, there’s no better game, and it’s the pinnacle. It’s one of the biggest sporting events in the world, so for me, this is a dream come true. It’s now about getting it done. I will have about 15 of my family over to support me. I was at last years Super Bowl doing some work for NFL UK, and I promised myself that I won’t return to a Super Bowl unless I’m playing, and I’m just glad how things have turned out. This is a dream come true for me.”
Along with his main duty of wreaking havoc on NFL defences, Ajayi takes great pride in his role as a representative for NFL UK. It’s that support that partly drives him to succeed, to see the growth of American Football back home.
“The support from the fans in the UK has been great, the tweets I get, all of social media. It’s been cool seeing the exposure (of the NFL) in the UK, I really enjoy it. I enjoy being a face for the UK and I take a lot of pride in that.”
