Several roads now lead to the NFL. Platzgummer made it through the International Pathway Program, which promotes players outside the US. With Bernhard Seikovits and Leonel Misangumukini (both Dacia Vienna Vikings), two domestic football players made it to the “final” this year. Seikovits, who was there last year, and Misangumukini are part of a training camp in Florida these days and hope to be among the top four in the end.
Platzgummer, who was one of the four in 2020, was deliberately diplomatic in advance, but is of course hoping for another Austrian in the NFL. “I don’t know the other players, everything is open and I only wish them the best. It would be cool if a colleague from another team was nearby to meet. “
Wiener Schaffer signs up for draft
Another Austrian went a completely different way and hopes to make the jump into the NFL this year as well. Thomas Schaffer has been involved in the Stanford Top College in California for the past five years and signed up for the NFL draft at the beginning of January to be the first Austrian ever to be drawn. If it doesn’t work out, the dream is not over. The 32 teams can also sign the players after the talent selection.
The defensive end, who had already played in high school in the USA and was the first local talent to find work at one of the top universities, played and started in all six games in this season shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic. No one booked more sacks than his team (3). “I’m now fulfilling my childhood dream,” said Schaffer on Twitter at the beginning of January when he announced that he would be registering for the draft. From April 29th to May 1st, players will be signed in seven rounds.
Some native talent at US colleges
The two-meter-tall and 136-kilogram defender is not the only Austrian lurking for great opportunity in the land of unlimited possibilities. Tightend Chistopher Henle has already completed his third season for Baylor University and was again allowed to play in all (nine) games. Like Schaffer, Henle also played football before college in the United States.
According to the local association (AFBÖ), other Austrian football players at college level are currently Bernhard Raimann at Central Michigan Chippewas, Max Hradecny at Duquesne University, Yannik Gruner at Concordia University Wisconsin and Max Plank at University at Albany – all of them former player of the Vienna Vikings. Valentin Senn from the Raiders tries his luck at the University of Colorado, Tobias Rodlauer and Omar Hashw from the Carinthian Lions at the New Mexico Military Institute Broncos.
Two sides of the coin
Platzgummer also sees the Austrian players abroad with a crying eye. “It is also a shame for Austrian football that the funding is limited compared to other sports. The players therefore take the plunge. For me, football has always paid off, even if I never made the leap into the NFL. But I understand a lot of players when they don’t just play amateurishly, but want to turn it into a job. “
Not everyone will make it, of course. “You can go to college for four years and not get a chance, not be drafted and come back afterwards,” noted Platzgummer. “Of course I would like someone to make it like this. On the one hand, it is a shame that they are not available for Austrian football at this time and that perhaps the will is no longer there. On the other hand, it’s nice that they are going this way. ”Platzgummer, who wants to get children excited about football with his actions, would like to finish his medical studies regardless of an NFL career.
Three Austrians as field goal specialists
The first three Austrians in the NFL were all kickers. Even as a national player, Toni Fritsch decided in 1971 for a second career. He moved from Rapid to the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL to work there as a field goal specialist. The native of Lower Austria won the Super Bowl with the Cowboys in his first season, and in 1976 he was in the final again with the Texans. In 14 years, Fritsch has played NFL for Dallas, the San Diego Chargers, the Houston Oilers and the New Orleans Saints.
Toni Linhart, who also died and was born in Styria, was, like his friend Fritsch, an Austrian national soccer player before his football career. After a difficult first year in 1972 with the New Orleans Saints and a brief return to Austria, Linhart made his breakthrough in 1974 with the Baltimore Colts. In 1976 he was the best scorer in the NFL with 109 points. Linhart was elected to the Pro Bowl twice, once more than Fritsch. He ended his career in 1979 with the New York Jets.
In contrast to the two footballers Fritsch and Linhart, Wersching grew up in the USA. Born in Mondsee, his parents emigrated when he was a toddler. “Ray,” as the Americans named him, won the Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers in 1982 and 1985, respectively. With four field goals in 1982, Wersching, who always looked to the ground during his kicks, still holds a shared Super Bowl record. Before San Francisco (1977-1987) he already played in the NFL for San Diego (1973-1976).
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