From the rugby field to the NFL, and now the revamped Gladiators arena, Alex ‘Apollo’ Gray is busy building quite a name for himself. But how much do you actually know about the guy? If the answer’s “not much”, then keep reading to find out our top 5 facts about Alex Gray, the man behind the new Gladiator Apollo.
1. Apollo was a rugby star from a young age
Alex began his sporting career in rugby, playing for the England Under 16s team before moving on to the Premiership and England 7s team. And he was a stand out player from the start, captaining the England rugby teams at the 16s, 18s, and 20s levels.
2. He made waves in the NFL
After drawing the attention of talent scouts with his rugby skills Alex signed with the Atlanta Falcons, becoming the first British rugby player to make the move to the NFL. He went on to become the first international player to captain an NFL team, revealing not only his leadership abilities but also his ability to adapt his skills to different sports.
3. He’s got a real height advantage
We know that size isn’t everything but being tall will definitely have its advantages in the Gladiators arena, and Apollo may well find himself with the upper hand with his 6’ 6” build.
4. Apollo’s a huge fan of the show
Alex is beyond excited to be a part of the new series, having been a massive fan of the original Gladiators when he was a kid. Now aged 32 he still got goosebumps when he first saw the arena, saying the whole thing is ‘epic’.
5. The man can jump
Wrapping up with a really fun fact, Apollo can jump a distance of 2.8 metres from standing. That’s longer than a ping-pong table apparently! We’ll just have to wait and see how that comes in handy for him in the Gladiators arena!
Find out more about other Gladiators: 5 Facts About Gladiators Star Zack ‘Steel’ George and Everything You Need To Know About Nitro From Gladiators.
