On the latest episode of the Birds and Braves Podcast, Luke Winstel talks with New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver, Cyril Grayson Jr. He played high school football in Louisiana and attended Louisiana State University. He was a 4x track national champion at LSU and had hoped to play on the football team. Due to an NCAA rule (details in the show), he was unable to play college football. He lobbied and was able to participate in the LSU pro day, alongside first-round picks Leonard Fournette, Jamal Adams, and Tre'Davious White. After running a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, catching every single pass thrown his way, and broad jumping 10'7''- he caught the eye of several scouts. The next day, the Seahawks flew him out to Seattle and signed him. He is now playing for his fifth team in three years- but is back home in Louisiana and has a good chance to make the Saints 53-man roster.
Topics Discussed on this week's show:
1:20- Discussing the upcoming NFL preseason
2:20- Favorite preseason moment as a professional
3:15- Celebration plans for the season
4:25- Favorite part of playing for his hometown team
4:55- Family support
5:22- The adjustment from running track at LSU to playing in the NFL, despite not playing football since high school.
6:43- Playing with Drew Brees, who was a rookie when Grayson was around age seven.
8:45- Developing into a deep threat in the NFL
9:30- Role models and people he looks up to
10:46- Is there anyone on the Saints team that is faster than you?
11:50- 40 Yards of Gold Race - "We still haven't gotten paid yet..."
14:04- Grayson's Foundation, Project Neaux Limits
16:42- How to reach out to Cyril Grayson Jr.
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Thank you for the support of the podcast! Interview recorded on 8/8/19.
Music credit: Vases by Jellowstone (@jellowstonemusic on Instagram)