In the world of rugby sevens, few names shine as brightly as Perry Baker’s. The three-time Olympian and two-time World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year has left an indelible mark on the sport, not just in the United States but worldwide. With an unparalleled combination of speed, agility, and game sense, Baker has dazzled fans and befuddled opponents for over a decade. Yet, as he steps away from the international stage at 38, the man often hailed as the greatest American rugby player ever finds himself at a crossroads, unsure of what the future holds.
From Football Dreams to Rugby Stardom
Baker’s path to rugby greatness was anything but conventional. Growing up, his sights were set firmly on the NFL. After a standout college football career at Fairmont State, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, only to have his dreams dashed by a knee injury. Stints in arena football followed, but it wasn’t until 2013, at age 27, that Baker found his true calling on the rugby pitch.
What followed was a meteoric rise that saw Baker become a fixture on the World Rugby Sevens Series, racking up an astonishing 229 tries – second all-time – and earning back-to-back Player of the Year honors in 2017 and 2018. His electrifying play and magnetic personality made him a fan favorite worldwide, while his “try from the gods” against Fiji in 2018 remains a viral sensation and a testament to his game-breaking abilities.
Olympic Heartbreaks and Unfulfilled Dreams
For all his individual accolades, however, Baker’s Olympic aspirations remained painfully out of reach. Across three Games – Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024 – the U.S. men’s sevens team fell short of the podium, a fact that still haunts the fleet-footed winger.
“At the end of the day, I felt like I’ve let so many people down who supported me over these 10 years. My wife sacrificed so much. I wanted my kids to brag about their dad’s medal at show and tell. I wanted to give that joy to my family, my supporters. That’s why this last one, I wanted it the most. It’s something I feel I will never get over.”
– Perry Baker reflects on Olympic disappointments
The Rio Games, Baker admits, were an unknown. But Tokyo and Paris? Those were the ones that got away, the missed opportunities that he believes will forever leave a void. It’s a raw, emotional wound that remains fresh as he contemplates life after rugby.
Transitioning from Player to Coach
As one chapter closes, Baker is eager to start another. He’s currently serving as an assistant coach with the U.S. men’s sevens team under new head coach Simon Amor, imparting his vast knowledge to the next generation of American rugby stars. But the temporary nature of the role has left him craving something more permanent.
“I’m praying to God that I can land something that’s permanent,” Baker shares candidly. “In the U.S., with rugby’s roots still shallow and opportunities limited, it’s an all-too-common refrain for even the most accomplished players.
Baker has also entertained the idea of playing fifteens in Major League Rugby, the American professional league entering its eighth season. His age, he admits, could be a deterrent for some clubs. But with his rugby IQ, athleticism, and star power, he remains an attractive prospect.
“I know my age is a factor for a lot of people, but I’m not old on playing rugby body-wise. It’s an IQ issue for me. I’m smart enough, I know how to play the game, understand the game. I read the field different. I’m still athletic enough to play.”
– Perry Baker on potentially playing MLR
Growing the Game and Giving Back
Beyond his own playing and coaching aspirations, Baker is deeply invested in growing the sport that changed his life. He’s partnered with sevens teammate-turned-commentator Dallen Stanford and New York-based sevens mainstay Steve Lewis to launch FlagX, a U.S. version of a non-contact rugby game that emphasizes skills and fitness. The goal is to create a community around the sport, introduce newcomers to the game, and ultimately boost the national talent pool.
“In America, our skill level, our rugby IQ, is so low. We’re always behind the top 10 nations. With FlagX, you get rid of contact, have flags, but you’re still implementing skill levels. It’s a way to introduce rugby to newcomers who are afraid of contact. And it can be a fundraising tool to help clubs be sustainable.”
– Baker on the vision for FlagX
It’s a vision born from Baker’s profound love for the game and the opportunities it’s afforded him. From the places he’s traveled to the lives he’s touched, rugby has been a transformative force, one he’s determined to pay forward.
“Rugby changed my life. I want to give that back to other kids. The values rugby offers, being able to play, throw this footy around, have fun? It’s dope, man. I love it.”
– Baker on rugby’s impact
A New Calling: From Rugby Hero to Homicide Detective?
Perhaps the most surprising revelation is Baker’s dream of becoming a homicide detective. It’s a calling he traces back to a childhood tragedy when his best friend was murdered, a case that remains unsolved. The detective who worked the case left a lasting impression on Baker, sparking a desire to bring closure and peace to families rocked by unthinkable loss.
“I feel my calling is about helping others. If you can and you’re in a position to help, that’s life. Being a homicide detective is about solving cases, giving people closure, trying to bring some peace to a family. I feel that’s where I am with my life, where I’ve always wanted to be – giving back.”
– Baker on his dream of becoming a homicide detective
It’s a path that few would have predicted for the rugby superstar, but one that speaks to his character, compassion, and desire to make a difference. As he navigates this uncertain juncture, Baker remains anchored by the values rugby instilled in him and the unshakeable bonds he forged along the way.
“I’m forever grateful to rugby,” he reflects. “So to all those people reading, if you know of a six-figure job out there for me, pass it along,” he adds with a laugh, a flash of the charisma and humor that made him a beloved figure on and off the pitch.
Perry Baker’s rugby journey may be nearing its end, but his impact on the sport – and the lives he’s touched – will endure. As he ventures into uncharted territory, one thing remains certain: wherever this next phase takes him, he’ll attack it with the same passion, determination, and indomitable spirit that made him an icon. For the man who changed the face of American rugby, the best may be yet to come.
What followed was a meteoric rise that saw Baker become a fixture on the World Rugby Sevens Series, racking up an astonishing 229 tries – second all-time – and earning back-to-back Player of the Year honors in 2017 and 2018. His electrifying play and magnetic personality made him a fan favorite worldwide, while his “try from the gods” against Fiji in 2018 remains a viral sensation and a testament to his game-breaking abilities.
Olympic Heartbreaks and Unfulfilled Dreams
For all his individual accolades, however, Baker’s Olympic aspirations remained painfully out of reach. Across three Games – Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024 – the U.S. men’s sevens team fell short of the podium, a fact that still haunts the fleet-footed winger.
“At the end of the day, I felt like I’ve let so many people down who supported me over these 10 years. My wife sacrificed so much. I wanted my kids to brag about their dad’s medal at show and tell. I wanted to give that joy to my family, my supporters. That’s why this last one, I wanted it the most. It’s something I feel I will never get over.”
– Perry Baker reflects on Olympic disappointments
The Rio Games, Baker admits, were an unknown. But Tokyo and Paris? Those were the ones that got away, the missed opportunities that he believes will forever leave a void. It’s a raw, emotional wound that remains fresh as he contemplates life after rugby.
Transitioning from Player to Coach
As one chapter closes, Baker is eager to start another. He’s currently serving as an assistant coach with the U.S. men’s sevens team under new head coach Simon Amor, imparting his vast knowledge to the next generation of American rugby stars. But the temporary nature of the role has left him craving something more permanent.
“I’m praying to God that I can land something that’s permanent,” Baker shares candidly. “In the U.S., with rugby’s roots still shallow and opportunities limited, it’s an all-too-common refrain for even the most accomplished players.
Baker has also entertained the idea of playing fifteens in Major League Rugby, the American professional league entering its eighth season. His age, he admits, could be a deterrent for some clubs. But with his rugby IQ, athleticism, and star power, he remains an attractive prospect.
“I know my age is a factor for a lot of people, but I’m not old on playing rugby body-wise. It’s an IQ issue for me. I’m smart enough, I know how to play the game, understand the game. I read the field different. I’m still athletic enough to play.”
– Perry Baker on potentially playing MLR
Growing the Game and Giving Back
Beyond his own playing and coaching aspirations, Baker is deeply invested in growing the sport that changed his life. He’s partnered with sevens teammate-turned-commentator Dallen Stanford and New York-based sevens mainstay Steve Lewis to launch FlagX, a U.S. version of a non-contact rugby game that emphasizes skills and fitness. The goal is to create a community around the sport, introduce newcomers to the game, and ultimately boost the national talent pool.
“In America, our skill level, our rugby IQ, is so low. We’re always behind the top 10 nations. With FlagX, you get rid of contact, have flags, but you’re still implementing skill levels. It’s a way to introduce rugby to newcomers who are afraid of contact. And it can be a fundraising tool to help clubs be sustainable.”
– Baker on the vision for FlagX
It’s a vision born from Baker’s profound love for the game and the opportunities it’s afforded him. From the places he’s traveled to the lives he’s touched, rugby has been a transformative force, one he’s determined to pay forward.
“Rugby changed my life. I want to give that back to other kids. The values rugby offers, being able to play, throw this footy around, have fun? It’s dope, man. I love it.”
– Baker on rugby’s impact
A New Calling: From Rugby Hero to Homicide Detective?
Perhaps the most surprising revelation is Baker’s dream of becoming a homicide detective. It’s a calling he traces back to a childhood tragedy when his best friend was murdered, a case that remains unsolved. The detective who worked the case left a lasting impression on Baker, sparking a desire to bring closure and peace to families rocked by unthinkable loss.
“I feel my calling is about helping others. If you can and you’re in a position to help, that’s life. Being a homicide detective is about solving cases, giving people closure, trying to bring some peace to a family. I feel that’s where I am with my life, where I’ve always wanted to be – giving back.”
– Baker on his dream of becoming a homicide detective
It’s a path that few would have predicted for the rugby superstar, but one that speaks to his character, compassion, and desire to make a difference. As he navigates this uncertain juncture, Baker remains anchored by the values rugby instilled in him and the unshakeable bonds he forged along the way.
“I’m forever grateful to rugby,” he reflects. “So to all those people reading, if you know of a six-figure job out there for me, pass it along,” he adds with a laugh, a flash of the charisma and humor that made him a beloved figure on and off the pitch.
Perry Baker’s rugby journey may be nearing its end, but his impact on the sport – and the lives he’s touched – will endure. As he ventures into uncharted territory, one thing remains certain: wherever this next phase takes him, he’ll attack it with the same passion, determination, and indomitable spirit that made him an icon. For the man who changed the face of American rugby, the best may be yet to come.
