In the past weeks, it has been visibly difficult for me to consciously sit down and work on the many great conversations with wonderful players that I have met since spring. Why? Because I had to first sort out the last moving interview with Dennis Zimmermann and all the impressions associated with it. And somehow, I wanted to honor all the words we had put on paper with a conscious silence. And so it happened that only after another meeting with Dennis did I sit back at my desk to write down the new stories. Stories like that of the only remaining active German player in NFL Europe, which was discontinued in 2007. The quarterback hunter of the best team in Europe - the New Yorker Lions Braunschweig. Reported for die-sportpsychologen.de: Patrick Finke (Interview: Miriam Kohlaas,Profile page of Miriam) Miriam Kohlhaas:How did you get into football?
Patrick Finke:In high school, my best buddy asked everyone in the class if they wanted to come to training - everyone except me. So I asked him myself. It sounded pretty cool, and I asked him if I could come along too. He replied that maybe it wasn't such a good idea and that football might not suit me. At that time, I had a serious knee injury, I had a tumor in my knee and was pretty damaged. But it bothered me that he thought that way of me, so I persevered, got the address, gathered all my courage, and went to the training of the Berlin Thunderbirds, for flag football. From there on, I developed continuously.
Miriam Kohlhaas:What characterizes your position?Patrick Finke:I would compare my position to that of a lion. We are always on the hunt - the hunt for the ball. Defensive linemen are "crazy guys" in the head, chasing after anyone holding a ball. I definitely want to knock down the opponent and win the battle. Since 1999, I have completely made this position mine. Occasionally, I have switched sides since then. The right side is not the same as the left side. On the right side, you have the best offensive tackle because it's the quarterback's unprotected side.
Miriam Kohlhaas:Why defense?Patrick Finke:I noticed that I enjoy chasing and hitting someone more. I have a clearer goal here than bringing the ball into the end zone. The likelihood of a hit is also much higher. However, my personal favorite position is that of running back because I come from a time when there were great role models in that position who greatly influenced me.
