Patrick Finke:Unstoppable players that need to be stopped first. And I want to be the best player in the league. Anyone who sees me should think - today is going to be a tough day.
Miriam Kohlhaas:The chapter NFL Europe?Patrick Finke:Due to the different mentalities in that league, I couldn't improve my skills - that's how it felt back then, and I was extremely frustrated and felt like I was on a sidetrack. The American players weren't necessarily better, but they had to play to have enough video material for American clubs to see.
I couldn't see my own improvement and felt trapped in that system. I was so frustrated that I often spent an extra night or two after a game drinking beer instead of doing video analysis. Although that time was cool, in the end, I took a lot mentally from it.
Then I returned to the GFL - with the performance I had built up, I was like a superstar, and that lifted me up again. As a young guy, I displaced very experienced regular players in my position. I also tried to work my way more into the hearts of the fans.
In 2005, I met my wife and settled down here.
Miriam Kohlhaas:What were the dark moments of your career?Patrick Finke:At times, the period in the NFL Europe was also difficult. At least it was hard to keep the motivation high because you didn't feel recognized. It took me a lot of time to see the positive side of things.
But also when there was a major overhaul at the Lions in 2009-2011. We were on the verge of relegation, and we all didn't really know what the real issue was. In hindsight, I believe we were all under immense pressure. It became difficult to muster the motivation to come to training, only to be yelled at there. The coaches passed their pressure on to us players.
The only thing that always motivated me on tough days was my own statistics, which I wanted to keep high. That's why I missed very few games in my career. Even the day after my wedding, I was back on the field with my guys.
Miriam Kohlhaas:Why aren't you a player for the national team?Patrick Finke:I always boycotted that. In 2001, I played for the youth national team for the first time. We traveled to Glasgow back then.
However, most coaches came from North Rhine-Westphalia, so players from that area were preferred. That really annoyed me. Since 2001, I received an invitation to the men's national team every year.
At some point, I said that if I play for my country, I shouldn't have to financially contribute. If I travel across Germany for a tryout, take time off work for it, etc., and then I'm not selected because someone doesn't like my nose, then it's not worth it for me. I lacked appreciation! You don't go to work and bring your own money.
For me, it's also the case that not necessarily the best players from Germany play in the national team. I know that other top players see it the same way.
This issue has been discussed with the association several times, but there seems to be little willingness for change. At one point, it even got to the point where playing with your own team helmet was not allowed - so the costs increased even more.
For me, one thing is clear: If we were to compete with the Braunschweig Lions, the best players from Germany and even Europe would actually play. Our German teammates bring so much experience, which is something special.
