Is Rugby Worth the Injuries? | Chris Grace on why Super Store Didn't Stop Him Playing | Ep 60
The Gay Rugby Podcast
We sat down with comedian and actor Chris Grace to talk about something that, on the surface, seems pretty simple: is rugby actually worth getting hurt for?Chris has broken both of his ring fingers, dislocated a rib, broken his arm and developed arthritis in his knees from playing tighthead prop. And yet, when we asked if he regrets it, his answer was pretty definitive: no.That led us into a much bigger conversation about why people keep coming back to rugby even when it hurts. Chris talks about the nerves and adrenaline before a match, the strange emotional attachment that comes with playing on a team, and why gay rugby became such a transformative part of his life.We also got into his acting career, including his time on Superstore, and whether he ever worried that playing rugby could interfere with his work as an actor. Spoiler: he wasn't particularly worried about getting injured until he actually got injured.Chris has also experienced one of the biggest moments in LGBTQ+ rugby firsthand: winning the Bingham Cup. He talks about what that victory meant to him, why he broke down crying after losing the following year, and how rare it is to feel that emotionally connected to something in everyday life.Along the way, we talk about gay rugby, playing against straight teams, rugby culture, competition, community, and why the sport has become so much more than just what happens on the pitch.This is Episode 60 of the Gay Rugby Podcast.Subscribe for more conversations about gay rugby, LGBTQ+ sports, rugby culture and the people who make this community what it is.