I first encountered football through visits to Rhein Fire Düsseldorf – and I loved it. At the age of seven, I joined the Düsseldorf Bulldozers.
When I was 16, I played a game with the Greenmachine, where both of my parents were involved. My mother as a physiotherapist and my father as a cameraman. The American Football Association Germany (AFVD) then recruited them directly for the youth national team.
I played another year with the Düsseldorf Panther in the youth league. In the final, we lost to the Berlin Adler, and I faced Björn Werner. In 2010, I played my first season with the men's team and we were promoted to the first league. I played alongside players like Niklas Römer (for the insider report) and Dominik Hanselmann.
In the first league, I had a new head coach every year, even two in one year. There was no stability, and I really missed that at the time. We were lucky for two years as two teams were relegated, allowing us to stay in the league as the last team.
When Niklas and Dominik left, I became a starter in my position, but at the same time, my darkest times began. Two years in a row, I had a dislocated shoulder joint in both shoulders and could only play and train for half a season each time.
In 2015, I then moved to Essen to join the Assindia Cardinals. It was clear to me that I wanted to play at least in the 2nd league. I knew some guys there, knew the head coach Yves Thyssen personally, and knew that if he promised me something, he would deliver.
For personal reasons, due to work, friends, and family, I wanted to stay nearby. I didn't want to switch teams solely for monetary reasons or because team success seemed assured. Other things were and are much more important to me!
I prefer a team where guys play because they love the sport, not just because a certain sum appears in their account or because they will soon wear a ring on their finger. For me, it's more about the guys who stand beside me, who love this sport just as much as I do and therefore stand next to me on the field.
Did you ever have a problem with your parents being constant companions?I love being with my family, so I always enjoyed having my family with me during that time. My mom was often worried that it would bother me and kept asking me if it was really okay for me.
That was a few years ago now. My parents had done a lot for my former club, and unfortunately, they were "let go" in a very unpleasant way. After that, I announced that I would only play the last game of the season for that team and then never again. In the last two years, I have received offers, but I would never accept them again.
What drives you?I am someone who is never satisfied with themselves. This year, my goal is to play internationally. In 2018, I want to play for Germany at the European Championship in my own country. My constant goals are always to give my best and give the best for the team.
I want to be one of the best receivers in Germany. But not in a team where I have an American quarterback or running back, but in a team where the national guys have to fight alongside me to beat the imports. It also fulfills me to uplift other players and lead the way.
For example, last season, I helped younger players with extra training sessions to improve as a team. I shared tips, tricks, and knowledge to help us progress.
On the field, I feel like I'm in another world. If I were walking on the street without a helmet and pads, I would never harm another person, but on the field, it's different. It's a competition, and I always want to be better than the others.
Many people say that too much sport is an addiction or an attitude – for me, it's simply my life! I couldn't imagine my life any other way, which is why I also chose a career in sports, as I train all day anyway. To train myself, I also go to another gym in addition.
Outside the season, I'm in the gym six days a week. During the season, it's four days in the gym, two days of training, one game day, and one rest day, although even then I can't sit still.
What advice would you give to younger players?Our sport is becoming more athletic, so I believe it's crucial to constantly develop yourself in that aspect.
So, go to the gym as much as possible, don't neglect school, but then be aware that there will be nothing else but school and training.
And it's hard to find someone who understands that it's not just a hobby, but a lifestyle. For me, the best thing has always been to be on the field with my guys the next day. Even in my youth, when all my friends started partying, I started training. It just seemed more sensible to me on my path. I also almost never drink alcohol. I want my body to always be in the best possible shape. I eventually focused more on sports and school became less important to me. However, because I didn't have a high school diploma, I couldn't follow two great offers from colleges in America, which I regretted afterwards. After school, I worked freelance and conducted motor skills tests with children at schools. I did an entry qualification year with the Panthers and then found a new interest in school during my training, as it focused on what interested me the most.
IT MUST GO FORWARD – NEVER BACK!
What rituals do you have?For me, the preparation starts in the week before the game – the Gameweek. Everything has to go perfectly for me that week. Every repetition. And the day before, I indulge, watch a movie, something that takes me out of the world. I pack my bag very carefully, which gives me security. And usually, I know a week in advance what I will wear on game day. This helps me visualize how I will look on the field.
On the evening before every game, I become calm. I mentally play through scenarios of the game day. What if suddenly my legs give out, if my hands don't do what I want, if I drop balls. Then I start to think of a possible action for each situation and encourage myself – you have trained enough!
I am still nervous before every game. Then I calm down and focus. Even on away trips, I always choose quiet players as roommates and tell my teammates that I need my peace. I have noticed that if, for example, I go to a birthday party the night before, I have a much harder time getting into my
