Bills rookie Travis Clayton seizes opportunity in Buffalo with transition from rugby to football

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The reality of being in the NFL is still setting in for Bills rookie Travis Clayton.

“I think it finally started when I saw my name on the locker room,” Clayton said. “That was the first time I realized I’m here now.”

There have been plenty of new experiences for Clayton, including sharing the court with stars like Josh Allen.

“Yeah, it’s wild, it’s wild because you see them on TV and now you’re just on the ground with them trying to protect them,” Clayton said.

The feeling extends to the feeling of wearing a helmet and pads.

“We had a photo shoot, and I didn’t have a photo shoot with all the equipment, so it was different,” Clayton said.

However, each new experience is one that Clayton has enjoyed and takes in stride.

“I just met a whole new staff, different people in America, who come every day to train at this incredible facility. Everything has gone well so far,” Clayton said.

The Bills drafted Clayton in the seventh round out of the International Player Pathway program.

Standing at 6 feet, 7 inches and 301 pounds, the former rugby player from Basingstoke, England, is going through his first offseason as an NFL offensive lineman.

“I think the hardest thing for me is the playbook,” Clayton said. “I think I’m learning everything, I’m learning different moves. Different hand moves as well because that plays a big role in being an offensive lineman… Definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, but it’s the NFL It’s not going to be a walk in the park.”

Something that has helped Clayton in his transition is a quote he learned during his International Pathway Player program.

“Be rare,” Clayton said. “So for me, I’m a fast guy at 300 pounds. With a few running plays, I was able to use my speed the best I can and hopefully that got enough attention from the coaches.

As Clayton continues his journey as a football player, he spoke to someone else who has walked in the same shoes, from England rugby player to the Buffalo Bills: Christian Wade.

Wade spent time with the Bills from 2019 to 2022. Clayton says he spoke with Wade before coming to Buffalo, with Wade relaying his experience to prepare for offseason workouts like rookie minicamp and training camp .

Wade also shared this advice: “I think he told me to just be yourself and represent the country because I represent the UK. It is enormous.”

And just like Wade, Clayton hopes to serve as an inspiration to future British footballers.

“I’m very proud of it. I hope… once my career is over, I can go back to the kids in the UK who want to play American football and tell them my story and hopefully one day they can look at me and use me as a role model and them come into the league,” Clayton said.