The former Toronto JR Argos defensive co-ordinator has made the trip across the pond this year and has now recently signed for the reigning British American Football Champions, the Bristol Aztecs,
“To put it simply, I feel honoured to be recruited by a team with such lofty expectations, they’re the reigning champs and to most well known team in Britain.
“I just can’t wait to get started and prove what I can do for this team.”
Ross originally started his career in Canada, playing as a linebacker with only a few small stints at running back.
In American Football, there are differences all over the world in how the sport is run,
“Gosh, the sport is so different over here compared to my homeland, it’s like I’ve basically had to restart, I won’t go into all the rule differences but just know there is a lot.
“In all honesty, the main difference to me is the sportsmanship, back home people are a lot more rude after a game but over here in England, the spirit is high regardless of what is left on the field.”
The 24-year old has only been in England since August, but he’s thoroughly enjoyed every moment since moving into a whole new environment,
“Yeah man, I love this country, everyone i’ve met here has been so kind and welcoming, it’s like they’ve known me for years.
“The boys at Gloucester keep trying to teach me English phrases, I try my best, sometimes it doesn’t sound too good though.”
James then shared some of those phrases,
“I’m saying these words like bruv, peng and fam, I ended up saying it’s like a peng day to my family, they were pretty confused.
“I’m pretty sure they’re good terms that i’m saying, I hope.”
Despite how he’s settled in here, it hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows for the Canadian, quite literally…
“Oh my lord, the weather here, it’s something else, I love playing in the snow back home cause it’s so much fun, but playing in a random muddy pitch in the rain down in Wales, yeah no thanks.
“People ask me like oh what would I change about British American Football, the weather and only the weather, England get your act together
Moving back to actual football talk, expectations are high this year for Ross,
“I never aim low, what’s the point in that, oh what i just wanna win another couple of games, no thanks, I want a ring on my finger that says BAFA Champions 2026.
“Right now, i’m hungry, I want another championship, I won a champinship back home as a DC so why not win one as a player for the best team in Britain ay.”
The Bristol Aztecs first game is on the 19th of April, away against the London Blitz, however their first home game is a week later, against the Belfast Trojans, where they will be expecting a bumper crowd at their new and improved home ground, Shaftesbury Park.
