A close friend of mine practically pushed me into this interview. I had already conducted an interview with one of the best wide receivers in Germany (for Niklas Römer's insider report) and had originally planned to interview only one player per position. But Ole Kretschmann, his coach (and my best friend), insisted. He promised me that it would be worth getting to know Yannick Baumgärtner – and yes, it was. What is it like to not be alone in your love for football? When your whole family spends every free minute on the field? How does it feel when your parents have a championship ring, but you don't? Questions upon questions for Yannick Baumgärtner. Yannick, how did you get into football? I first got to know 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 my parents were involved. My mother as a physiotherapist and my father as a cameraman. The American Football Association Germany (AFVD) then signed both of them directly for the youth national team. I then played one more year with the Düsseldorf Panther in the youth team. In the final, we lost to the Berlin Adler, and I was facing Björn Werner. In 2010, I played my first season with the men's team and we were promoted to the first league. In that team, 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, and in one year, even two. There was no consistency, and I really missed that at the time. We were lucky for two years that 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. For me, it was clear that I wanted to play at least in the 2nd league. I knew some guys from there, knew the head coach Yves Thyssen personally, and knew that if he promised me something, he would keep his word. For personal reasons, because of 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. For me, other things were and are much more important! I prefer a team where guys play because they love this 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 on the field, loving this sport as much as I do, and that's why they stand next to me on the field. Have you ever had 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's a few years ago now. My parents had done a lot for my former club back then but unfortunately were "pushed out" 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 again, but I would never accept them again.
What drives you? I am someone who is never satisfied with himself. My goal for this year is to play internationally. In 2018, I want to play for Germany in the European Championship in my own country. My constant goals are always to give my best and always 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 imports. It also fulfills me a lot to pull other players along and lead by example. For example, in the last season, I helped younger players with extra training sessions to make our team better. I passed on tips, tricks, and knowledge to help us improve. On the field, I feel like I'm in a different world. If I were walking on the street without a helmet and pads, I would never hurt 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 just my life! I couldn't imagine my life any other way, which is why I also chose a career in sports, as I'm doing sports all day anyway. To train myself, I also go to another gym additionally. Outside the season, I'm in the gym six days a week. During the season, it means: four days in the gym, two days 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 is extremely important to constantly develop in that area. 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 stand 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 meaningful on my path. I also hardly drink any 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 later. After school, I worked freelance and conducted motor skills tests with children at schools. I did an entry qualification year at the Panthers and then found a new interest in school during my training, as it was about what interested me the most.
It must move forward – backward never!
Which people have influenced you the most on your journey, and what did they show you? I have always had a great connection with my coach Ole Kretschmann from the beginning. When he couldn't train in between, I took over our position training and also the athletic training for our entire team. I gladly pass on the high standard to others. That's why I enjoy working with athletes so much. Estrus Crayton was a huge role model. He taught me to get the ball and then start thinking or looking for solutions, instead of going through all the solutions beforehand. Before I go to the line, I know 100 percent how it will turn out. I know in my head that I will get the ball soon. I eventually understood that if I focus on what I can do, what my play is, and which opponent I'm facing, then there is no panic in me. And even if I make mistakes, it's okay, and I can go back to the huddle and do it again – it won't happen. Even the best players, like Estrus Crayton, who hold all the records in Germany, make mistakes.
I can make mistakes, I still know who I am and what I can do!
What rituals do you have? For me, the preparation starts in the week before the game – Gameweek. Everything must work for me in 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 precisely, which gives me security. And I usually know a week beforehand what I will wear on game day. This way, I can better imagine how I will look on the field. The evening before each game, I calm down. I play scenarios of the game day in my mind. What if suddenly my legs give out, if my hands don't do what I want, if I drop balls. Then I start thinking about 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've noticed that if, for example, I go to a birthday party or something the night before, then I have a much harder time getting into my game mode. On the day itself, I immediately think after waking
