genetic blueprint of a rival competitor

Hey there, peeps, Davis Alexander, a bit casually, addresses in French, the fellow at the pizza joint where he's arranged to meet.

Our man, Nicholas Richard, whips out a few words in Quebecois French while interacting with his team. The 26-year-old Alouettes devotee, born and bred in Montreal, swaps his team jersey for a vintage Alouettes t-shirt from the '70s.

When it comes to ball-chasing chat, his eyes practically dance. He's a die-hard Denver Broncos fan, feeling the family competition coursing through his veins.

"Broncos are our deal. We're hardwired that way," he asserts, all fired up.

Evenings with his twin bro, Dillon, were a blur of Madden matches and game-day TV marathons.

This nearly unhealthy determination for the oval ball has characterized the man he's become.

"He's the most competitive SOB I've ever met," Dillon lauded over lunch in Seattle. He was 4, Davis was 8, and already he was aiming to beat him at Mario Kart, despite not fully comprehending the game. Hates lose, our Davis.

Baseball was Davis's other sport, with unwavering loyalties to the New York Yankees. A pitcher, he'd cry like a baby if he gave up a sure hit, driving his old man mad.

The Alexanders' approach to sports was equal parts religion, school, and bonding.

Real Life

Growing up in a family that moved often due to his parents' divorce, Davis honed his football skills in Oakland, California, "where things could get grittier."

Despite the shifting addresses, Davis's parents seldom struggled financially, with his father involved in construction, his mother a credit officer, and his stepmother clocking in at Microsoft.

"Mom wanted us to learn football amid rougher neighborhoods, to taste the essence of reality." At 7, he was already running drills amidst Oakland's more challenging environs.

The next phase of his childhood unfolded in the picturesque Gig Harbor, Washington - 45 minutes southwest of Seattle. Everybody hung out at the marina, and workers knew their regulars simply by their faces.

"Friday nights, the town swarmed to the stadium. It was like a small-town dream come true," he recalls, taking a bite of his pepperoni pizza, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

The Alexanders had to make compromises to afford living in such a picturesque village. His stepmother drove faithfully for two and a half hours every workday.

"That journey taught me it's all about hustle. Whether it was football, school, or getting my homework done on time, I had to make it happen."

Proud of his privileged upbringing compared to some of his teammates, he credits his parents for giving him enough confidence to navigate life's challenges.

"Dad would always tell me I was awesome, and I'd laugh it off, thinking he was joking. But he'd insist, 'No, seriously, you have no idea how amazing you are.'"

Then, in August 2024, his dad Matt left for the big game in the sky at 56. Ever since, Davis bears the hope of making him just a tad prouder than he was during his life.

Despite the rough environments, Davis's passion for sports and especially American football, defined by his love for the Denver Broncos and NFL, remained strong.
Surrounded by the romantic charm of Gig Harbor, Davis found a new love - sports analysis, especially football and baseball, reminiscing about Friday night games at the stadium.
The environment of Oakland, California, where things were grittier, played a role in shaping Davis's competitive nature, especially in sports like football and baseball.
In the picturesque town of Gig Harbor, life was not always easy, with commuting and financial struggles, but the environment there fueled Davis's work ethic and determination, shaping the man he is today.
As a young man, Davis's environment played a significant role in his upbringing, from the competitive streets of Oakland to the picturesque surroundings of Gig Harbor, both nurturing his love for sports, especially American football.