Newsbeat meets the UK's biggest NFL star Menelik Watson
His mate was shot just around the corner from the house he grew up in.
Menelik Watson's childhood in inner city Manchester was tough at times.
He's been telling Newsbeat about life growing up on the Anson Estate in Longsight and his remarkable journey from the UK to the National Football League (NFL) in America.
There are only four British-born players playing in the NFL and coming in at 6"5 and weighing 140 kg he's the biggest of them all.
Menelik will be playing for Oakland Raiders at Wembley Stadium on Sunday night against Miami Dolphins in the first of three NFL games due to be played in London this season.
Video journalist: Steffan Powell
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