It’s not often that Aden Durde has time to stop and reflect on the “crazy” trail he’s blazing through the NFL.
Since becoming Britain’s first full-time NFL coach in 2018, Durde spends most of the year focused on the daily grind of American football.
Having joined the Atlanta Falcons, he was promoted in 2020 before taking another step up the coaching ladder with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021.
The 45-year-old from Middlesex is now just one rung from head coach having been appointed as the Seattle Seahawks’ defensive coordinator in February.
“I haven’t spoken about it much,” he told BBC Sport while back in the UK during the off-season. “My family care about it, but it’s just something I do.
“Coming home and talking to media, being around all the guys at NFL UK, it’s made me think. It hasn’t hit me till today really. It is crazy.
“I was back in my old office and it was like I was here yesterday, so it’s a good reflection moment to say I am very grateful for this opportunity. I’m really excited for the future.”
And that future already looks bright, with the Seahawks one of just five teams looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the new NFL season going into week four this weekend.
