Former Miami Dolphins running back Ron Davenport is backing fellow Bermudian NFL star Antonio Pierce to succeed in the rough and tough world of pro football.

Davenport, who scored 13 touchdowns in his first season with the Dolphins in 1985, was delighted to see Pierce score his first pro touchdown on Saturday - but wishes there were more Bermudians playing the sport he still follows “religiously”.

Pierce, whose father Cleo Burrows lives in Southampton, picked off Ken Dorsey and trundled 78 yards back up the field to help the Redskins to their 26-16 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

“It is great for the guy,” said Davenport, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in his five years alongside Dan Marino et al.

“It is nice to see another Bermudian playing in the NFL. He seems to be having a good year now and I'm sure he will do very well for them.”

And Davenport, who followed in the footsteps of Rocky Thompson, a running back with the New York Giants in the early 1970s, thinks more Bermudians could make it in pro football.

“You look around and there are some great athletes here playing soccer and cricket,” said Davenport, who, like Pierce, was brought up in the US.

“I think some of these guys could make it as wide receivers, running backs or tight ends. They are very quick and very athletic.

“Physiologically, Bermudians are not normally big and wide, so I don't think we could produce players for many other positions, but there is no reason why these guys couldn't go over there and do something.

“Considering how much people in Bermuda love NFL, it is a surprise there are not more guys who make it. A lot of Bermudians go to high school and college in the States so the opportunities are there. Maybe there are more guys playing college level who we don't know about - only a small percentage actually make it to the top level.”

For Davenport “football was on the doorstep” and although he always thought he would be a fan, and never a player, he fell into the sport, and ran and caught all the way to the top.

And he thinks that Bermudians can do it, even if they don't play as kids.

“If you have it physically, you can pick up the mental side of the game, even if you don't start until college,” continued Davenport, who played in two play-off games.

“It is a sport that you can start late in if need be, although it always helps if you grow up with it.”

Davenport, who holds the Dolphins record for most touchdowns in a rookie season, is still obsessed with the sport.

“I still watch it religiously,” he added.

“And I am still in touch with a lot of the guys. I watch the old team as much as possible and some of the current coaching staff are guys I played with and I speak to them from time to time.”

This summer, Davenport went back to Miami for a reunion during the Dolphins-Redskins pre-season game for a banquet and some presentations.