Tyrese Johnson-Fisher, a professional rugby player from England, has made waves in both the rugby and US football arenas. With an impressive record at clubs like ‘Oakham’ and the ‘Leicester Tigers Academy,’ Tyrese caught the attention of fans and football selectors alike when a video of him scoring multiple tries went viral. Despite his dreams of playing in the NFL, Tyrese has now returned to rugby and signed with the ‘Bristol Bears.’
Quick Facts
- Born Country: England
- American Football Players
- British Men
- Height: 5’10” (178 cm), 5’10” Males
- City: London, England
- Notable Alumni: Oakham School, Coastal Carolina University
- Education: Coastal Carolina University, Oakham School
Rise to Fame
Tyrese’s rise to fame began when he competed for renowned athletic clubs, ‘Oakham’ and the ‘Croydon Harriers,’ in his hometown. His rugby skills caught the attention of a streaming company, which published a video of his finest moments on ‘YouTube.’ The video quickly gained popularity, reaching over two million viewers. In March 2015, Tyrese scored four impressive tries for the under-15 team of ‘Oakham School’ during the ‘NatWest Schools Cup,’ solidifying his prominence in the sport. He continued to showcase his brilliance as a winger for the ‘Leicester Tigers Academy’ under-18 team.
Pursuit of Football and Sprinting
Despite his success in rugby, Tyrese decided to take a break from the sport and pursue football instead. He also focused on sprinting, a sport in which he had excelled for several years. At the age of 16, Tyrese won the 60m ‘National Indoor Finals’ with a time of 6.89 seconds, representing the ‘Croydon Harriers.’ He also achieved the third position in the under-17 100m sprint in England, finishing in a record time of 10.73 seconds. Tyrese’s physical attributes, including his compact frame, allowed him to excel in sprinting and secure the running back position in his football team.
Journey to American Football
Tyrese’s ambition led him to move to the United States to pursue a career in American football. However, opportunities were limited overseas, and he faced challenges in finding a place in the sport. While watching a match of the ‘Elite 200 Camp’ in Germany, Tyrese found inspiration to pursue football further. He sent footage of his rugby skills, including the viral ‘YouTube’ video, to the camp organizers. The footage eventually reached the ‘Under Armour’ selection committee, who decided to give him a chance.
College Football and Return to Rugby
Tyrese’s skills earned him an offer from ‘Coastal Carolina’ and football scholarship offers from ‘Texas’ and ‘Penn State.’ He became the first non-American player to participate in the ‘Under Armour All-America High School Football Game’ in January 2018. However, after a year, he was released from the college program and decided to return to England to resume his rugby career. Tyrese focused on catching the attention of Pat Lam, the coach of the ‘Bristol Bears,’ one of the premier rugby teams.
Signing with the Bristol Bears
In August 2019, Tyrese achieved his goal and was officially signed by the ‘Bristol Bears.’ The team’s director and head coach, Pat Lam, praised Tyrese’s exceptional skills and his determination to succeed and grow as a player, which led to his unanimous selection.
Family & Personal Life
Tyrese was born on September 9, 1999, in England, primarily from Leicester. He took a break from his rugby career to pursue education at a US college and is currently studying A-level business, economics, and history at ‘Oakham.’
Trivia
On his first day playing football, Tyrese was sick with food poisoning and vomited several times. Despite this setback, he performed exceptionally well the following day and had one of his best-ever training sessions in any sport.