About Me
I'm Alex, from South Shields in the north‑east of England. I grew up between Newcastle and Sunderland football culture, but American Football became the sport that stuck.
Finding the Game
I discovered the NFL in the late 1980s through Channel 4 broadcasts and those cardboard NFL shirt keyrings from Poundstretcher. That small spark turned into a lifelong interest.
I used to get NFL Annuals for Christmas and for a long time used to buy NFL Record and Fact books and NFL football shirt key rings, before the internet became my key focus for all things American Football and eventually my interest in creating AMT Gridiron in 2002.
Despite that, I wasn’t especially sporty growing up — my one school rugby match ended in a 78–0 loss — but American Football always stood out to me in a different way.
Teams & Moments
- Lifelong San Francisco 49ers fan
- Visited Candlestick Park
- Saw CFL games in Montreal and Toronto in 1997
- Attended multiple American Bowl games at Wembley
- Returned for the NFL International Series in 2007, 2008, 2013, 2016
Playing Experience
In 1999, I briefly played university American Football for the University of Sunderland WearWolves. The team folded, but the experience stayed with me.
I graduated in 2001 with a BA (Hons) in Media Production.
Why AMT Gridiron Exists
I started AMT Gridiron after discovering The Helmet Project. I loved how it catalogued teams and designs, and I wanted to build a modern, structured version of that idea with my own style. The site focuses on clean layouts, league organisation, and a clear way to explore the sport.
Extras
If you’re curious about some of the things that shaped my early interest in the sport, you can explore them here:
Each has its own page with photos and details, keeping this page clean and minimal.
Thanks for Reading
If you’re exploring the sport or already love it, I’m glad you’re here.