Björn Werner: Ex-NFL professional on "the two most important jobs in life"

Bjorn Werner
Ex-NFL pro on "the two most important jobs in life"

Björn Werner made American football history as a German player.

© Wolf Lux / ProSieben

Björn Werner has left his NFL professional career behind and is now enjoying being a family man to the full.

Björn Werner (30) has achieved what many American football players in Germany probably dream of. In April 2013, the Indianapolis Colts brought him to their National Football League (NFL) team. Werner, who came from Berlin, became the first German player to be signed in the first round of an NFL draft. In his newly published biography "My American Football Dream" he reports on it and makes it clear: It was a long, rocky road.

Separated from loved ones

Werner left his home in Berlin at the age of 16 to play American football at a high school in the USA. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, he recalls: "At first I was very homesick. I was far away from my family and had just found my great love, everything was new. That's why I returned after the first year in the High school back too. " However, he did not stay in Germany for more than a year. "It pulled me back, and by college I was so focused on my goal of getting into the NFL that I was no longer homesick."

The great distance to his girlfriend at the time and now wife Denise was probably much more difficult. The two met while they were still at school and fell in love. Werner says about the long-distance relationship today: "The time in high school when we were separated was the time when we became even closer and when I was sure that I could marry her at the age of 19." In 2010, the couple said yes, five years later, in June 2015, their first daughter was born.

Family comes first

For Werner, the family has always come first. His wife and daughter gave him support and were "my distraction" in times when things didn't always go smoothly on the field due to injuries. "The role of the two was very, very important," says Werner. "I've always said to myself that I'm first and foremost a husband and a father – the two most important jobs in life. I've got involved with family, so I'll give everything for them too."

After a brief stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Werner announced his retirement in 2017. Does he see his graduation from the NFL as forgiving? The athlete says: "I'm very proud of what I've achieved. I was always on the move with the motto: Just do your best and see where it takes you."

At home in Berlin: "I really don't miss anything"

Meanwhile, Werner's path led back to Germany. Together with his wife Denise, who gave birth to their second daughter in August 2017, he has settled in his old home in Berlin. "I've arrived," says the 30-year-old family man. "We all feel very comfortable here, are happy and enjoy life."

Today Werner works as a TV football expert and records the podcast "Football Bromance" together with Patrick Esume (46, "Believe the Hype!"). He often works on weekends, but sees advantages in this. "You have more time with your family during the week," explains Werner. "I can take my kids to kindergarten and pick them up in the afternoon. It's always nice to come home and see that your family has missed you." The former professional athlete would "really miss nothing at this moment" from his days in the USA.

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