The Istanbul Rams sign British running back and former rugby professional Tyrese Johnson-Fisher to their roster for the 2022 season, as reported by the team.

“Signing with the [Istanbul] Rams feels like an honor and a privilege. They really are building something special which makes me want to be one of the pioneers into making this franchise a dominant European force”, Johnson-Fisher commented on joining the Rams.

As far as the European League of Football goes, the British running back is thrilled to showcase his talent on Europe’s biggest football platform: “This league has a great potential and [they] are doing everything they can to make it world class. I’m excited to be part of it”.

Speed, agility, power

The British rugby sensation is not only a reckless runner, but also turns on the jets when he needs to. During his time at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College in Mississippi, Johnson-Fisher ran a laser-timed 4.38 40-yard dash.

Now, the 178cm tall and 91kg heavy running back will join American speedster Jalen Conwell on the Istanbul offense for the upcoming season. “For the upcoming 2022 season, I want to help the Rams show that despite joining the European League of Football for the second year, we are big time players in the league”, Johnson-Fisher commented.

The start of a football journey

The 22-year-old running back started his American football career for the London Warriors U-19 team. He soon was invited to be part of the Under Armour High School All-America Game as the first international player ever. “I was given the opportunity to become an All-American in 2018 where I played with the top 100 players in America - despite them being more advanced than me on the game understanding, physically, I was up there with the best”, Johnson-Fisher reflects his participation in the Under Armour All-America high school football game.

Following his first football experience in the United States, Johnson-Fisher received offers from Texas A&M, Princeton, Massachusetts, Central Arkansas, and Coastal Carolina as well where he spent his red-shirt year in 2018. However, Johnson-Fisher ended up signing a contract with the Bristol Bears in 2019 to play in England’s Premiership Rugby.

A special player with a special mindset

Rams head coach and general manager Val Gunn also weighed in on the signing of Johnson-Fisher: “We’ve been on Tyrese [Johnson-Fisher] for a long time. He’s going to be a special player in this league, and I can’t wait for him to showcase his talents on the field”. He added: “He fits our system very well and gives us another dynamic playmaker on the Rams offense”.

When asked about his ultimate goal as a football player, Johnson-Fisher touched upon his aspiration of one day being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame: “My goal with American football is to be inducted into the NFL Hall of fame. The goal should be the NFL anyway so when you get there you’ve achieved your goal and then what? […]”. He continued: “The goal is to be a Hall of Famer because that’s something that will push me to be the best till the last time I lace up my cleats”.

Now signed by the Istanbul Rams and set to play American football on the highest level in Europe, Johnson-Fisher left a final message for the fans and his teammates in Turkey: “[…] We got work to do in Istanbul!”.

More news about the Rams here!