Tuesday March 23, 2021
German supremacy in the European league
Hamburg surprises with a German NFL professional
Kasim Edebali can boast 62 games in the best football league in the world. But now the hamburger is drawn back to his homeland. The 31-year-old signs with the Hamburg Sea Devils, who will be part of a new, ambitious Europe-wide league.
The Hamburg Sea Devils from the newly founded European League of Football (ELF) achieved a real coup. Defensive end Kasim Edebali is returning to his hometown as a player after twelve years in the USA and eight positions in the NFL professional league. “As a ‘Local Hero’ he will be the face of our team,” said General Manager Max Paatz. Edebali made it to the New Orleans Saints squad via Boston College in 2014, followed by engagements in Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Oakland. The 31-year-old only played for New Orleans and Cincinnati, and Edebali played a total of 62 times in the NFL.
“I’m happy to be returning to my roots after twelve years in the States. It means a lot to me to be able to play for the Sea Devils in Hamburg,” said Edebali. Paatz is also very satisfied: “It is of course a huge thing for us to have won a player in this class for us.” Sea Devils head coach Ted Daisher expects a lot from the new signing: “Kasim Edebali brings a lot of experience to our team. He is a perfect example for players in Germany, which is possible when you work hard and are well prepared.”
A good three months before the start, the field of participants for the first season of the ELF has recently been complete. The former NFL Europe teams Berlin Thunder and Cologne Centurions are new; in addition there are the Leipzig Kings. On the other hand, the planned locations in Hanover and Ingolstadt are not yet being played this year. “Berlin and Cologne are cities with a long football history and of course with large fan groups who have waited 14 years for this moment – and I also see great potential in Leipzig,” said Patrick Esume, the league’s commissioner.
As planned, eight teams from three nations will take part at the kickoff on June 20: In addition to Berlin and Cologne, two other former NFL European teams will be competing in the Hamburg Sea Devils and Frankfurt Galaxy. There are also Leipzig, the Stuttgart Scorpions, the Panthers Wroclaw / Poland and the Barcelona Gladiators / Spain. The German Knights 1367 Lower Saxony from Hanover and the Ingolstadt Praetorians, originally intended as participants, could not reach an agreement with the ELF and withdrew for the time being. In the deal with Berlin, other shareholders than initially planned were brought on board.
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