Get to know DeAndre Clayton

After a celebrating the 17th of May with friends and family, what could be better than getting back into football with a special treat, an interview with our starting QB DeAndre Clayton. While the game against the Black Knights did not go as the Vikings wanted, we did get to see QB1 in action, showing what type of player and person he is. Clayton never gave up on the game and played physical football trying to will the Vikings back into the game. While the Vikings take prepare for their away game against the Crusaders, here is your chance to get to know one of the newest faces of the Vikings.

DeAndre, or Dre, grew up in Lorton, Virginia, and was born in an army base in Alexandria. Dre would start playing football in Alexandria, playing u10 football there before moving to Lorton and playing for South County High School. Before playing QB, Dre played on year as a receiver in high school. After making the switch to QB, Dre led his team to number one in the conference. As a senior, South County High made it all the way to the state semifinals.

Dre’s favorite football memory comes from that special senior season. In the conference championship South County High and their rivals, Lake Braddock High, faced off. Both teams came into the game undefeated, which made for scenes just like what you would see in the movies. As Dre puts it:

            “It was really crazy, we were down by 20 points at one point but we managed to turn it around and win the game. I remember one of our receivers caught a ball one handed in double coverage. Also on one play right before half I handed the ball off to our running back and he tried to jump over the pile to get in the endzone. He fumbled but I saw it and no one else really did so I got the ball, spun around and got into the endzone”

After high school, Dre went on to play at multiple different colleges including Malone and Morehead State. College didn’t really pan out like Dre had hoped for, and after finishing his degree in university studies with a focus on business entrepreneurship, he decided to try his luck as a professional in Europe. A couple of months later, Dre landed in Denmark and started his professional career. Last year, Dre spent the last part of the season playing in Switzerland.

            “Being able to play professionally here in Europe has been a dream come true. It’s been a plus to be able to travel overseas and experience different places.”

While in Denmark, Dre was a part of the Danish national team coaching staff, coaching quarterbacks. After football, Dre would like to get into real estate and maybe start coaching. I used to be shy, but coming here and getting to know new people and coaching has helped with being more social and outgoing. I also have a job back home in sales which helps too. After football I want to work with real estate, but being a mentor to the kids on the Danish national team was a really cool experience and I’m still in contact with some of them.”

Outside of football, Dre loves food, chilling with friends, and is excited about the opportunity to do some snowboarding at Tryvann.

When Dre came to Oslo he knew of the Oslo Vikings, and that the club has been a top team in Norway the past couple of years. Going into the season Dre wants to help the team reach new heights. We are really excited to have Dre here as part of the Oslo Vikings and can’t wait to see how he leads the elite team this season.