James Aldridge - Running Back, Rugby, and some new info...

James Aldridge is returning 

to the NFL.....

You know the guy that holds the door for his girl? The one that stands when a lady enters the room? And the guy that would give give an elderly lady his arm to cross the street? We all have a friend that is the "gentleman" of the room.

You would know this about James after fifteen minutes of your first conversation. He's courteous, friendly, and you can't help but notice he's great athlete. He played running back at Notre Dame....and then went onto the NFL. He took some time off to "sculpt" his skill in New Zealand on the rugby field.  He then headed to Aspen to play rugby in the Rockies with the Gentlemen. This is where we met James, after his trip from New Zealand to Aspen, Colorado to play rugby, coach the high school football team, and train in the mountains. He is constantly in the gym and on the field, but Hunt had a chance to sit down with him for a second.

James is born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. The same place our president, Hunt, calls home. They met in Aspen and started to talk about the hometown, football, and the future over the past year or so. This weekend they met in Denver to talk about 2013. James is, currently, coaching the High School teams, is the strength & conditioning coach, playing rugby in Aspen & Denver, a personal trainer, and training for his new goal....to get back into the league. That's right...he's working his way back to the NFL, with a whole new bag of tricks.

James playing Rugby with the Aspen Gentlemen......

"I'm open to it. I've been thinking about it for a while. It's different playing rugby all over the world and coming back to see my classmates playing in the league. I understand a lot of things now; that I didn't then. I'm in the best shape, I can take a hit, and I can tackle. That's something you don't find in the NFL everyday. Rugby and the lessons I've learned are something that I think will make a difference in my skills. It's all about a getting a good look from a team; all I need is the chance," James told Hunt.

"I think there's no better athlete to play football. James has an understanding of more than just the X's & O's. He's been all over the world playing rugby and learning from the best mentors in that world. He trains at 8,000 feet and is training, coaching, and teaching the Aspen Football program. He is the 'ambassador' to the game that we all love to watch. Plus...he's fast as hell and hits like a train," Hunt dropped this on us after the lunch. He would know as James helped him get his knee and conditioning in shape last season for some adventures. 

Stay tuned for more on this GGFam OG.....

James running the ball for Notre Dame....