Notts County's Neil MacKenzie has been doing his bit to help dispel the myth that footballers lack intelligence.
The 32-year-old midfielder made history by becoming the first professional player to appear on Channel 4 quiz show Countdown during the programme's 25-year-history.
MacKenzie proved a hit on the show, winning five episodes in a row and in the process shooting to the top of the leaderboard.
"He's proving to be a strong contestant and has a broad vocabulary which is essential to do well," said associate producer Kate Horton.
MacKenzie said that he was inspired to audition by his mother who avidly watches the show hosted by Des O'Connor and Carole Vorderman. "I watched it when I was a kid, and have done ever since. I have always come up with words, and the numbers.
"My mum joked that I seemed to be okay, so I ought to go for an audition. I did, and ended up on the show."
The footballer said he did not achieve particularly good grades at school but always felt he had a knack for numbers and words. "I have always been pretty solid on the words and good at the conundrums - so the important thing was not to disgrace myself," he said.
"The adrenaline does get running. But Des O'Connor was great and he makes you relax, so the nerves went after about five minutes of the show."
The former Scunthorpe, Macclesfield and Hereford player's debut was broadcast on June 30 when he won by 71-61 on a crucial Conundrum.
He won four further matches and appeared to be on course to become an 'Octochamp' (winning the maximum of eight heats) before losing on his sixth appearance. Five wins may still see him reach the series quarter-finals.
