Cyril Grayson has had a fascinating path in professional football. After being signed and released by six different teams, he found success with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and earned a Super Bowl LV ring.
Although Grayson couldn't play college football at LSU due to an outdated rule regarding scholarships from other sports, he maximized his time in Baton Rouge by contributing to LSU's multiple championship victories.
Currently, Grayson plays as a wide receiver for the UFL’s Houston Roughnecks. The team is scheduled to wrap up their 2025 UFL season with a game at Ford Field on Saturday against the Michigan Panthers.
Craig: You've had a few days to reflect after the upset win over the DC Defenders, one of the biggest upsets of this entire season of UFL football. It was proof that you guys haven't given up on the season despite being eliminated from playoff consideration.
Cyril: I heard from a lot of people who kind of felt like we were down heading into that game, and I guess we all used that as extra motivation. We kept our foot on the gas and continued to press forward. We stayed the course, didn't relax and kept doing the right things.
Craig: Talk about Lorenzo Lingard's game. You see him every day in practice. He's got a bright future ahead of him.
Cyril: He always comes to me and is like did I look fast? and I'll say, you look fast enough (laughs). You can tell he's a young guy who's excited about the game and wants to do the right things. I was super excited to see what he put on display for everyone.
Craig: Can you follow it up and shock the world once again and end the season with a win at Ford Field this Saturday?
Cyril: We go to work every day. We're not taking the approach that we're out of it. You're only as good as your last game and we want to go out on a high note. I don't think we've ever beat Michigan so it's important for the city and morale of this team to win there.
Craig: When did you know that you were really fast and what age did you know that you wanted to pursue track?
Cyril: I always went against older guys. In elementary school, I could purposely lap everybody (laughs) I was always the fastest of my age group in my neighborhood. I really started believing when I was competing in the Junior Olympics. When I was twelve I went to Hershey, PA as one of the top twelve guys in the nation. I was just a hard worker.
Craig: When you closed out your career at LSU and as a National Champion in the 4 x 400 during the Indoor and Outdoor seasons, how gratifying was that? Is that at the top of the list of your career?
Cyril: Yeah. Just to be a part of that team was everything. Just to be part of LSU was amazing. The reason I went there was because it was a family feel, the guys were amazing, the people who hosted me, the coaches, everyone. That year you're talking about I worked so hard during the fall and through the spring and had it climax into championships and set some records, we went undefeated my senior year, it was amazing. I was just grateful to be a part of it. That's my family.
Craig: When the football career is over, could you see yourself one day coaching track?
Cyril: Maybe if the opportunity presents it. I'm not sure about coaching just yet or that mindsight. I love it but I've been so focused on football and immersed in that space. Who knows?
Craig: This Saturday isn't the last time you will put on shoulder pads, right? You still have gas in the tank; you'll be playing football next season?
Cyril: (laughs) I'll guess we'll have to see. I thought I was getting old, but I've felt good this year. My son likes to watch me play and I'm excited to be playing. I'm just trusting God and following his direction wherever he leads me.
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