Sandro Platzgummer actually did it!
The Tyrolean is signed by the New York Giants and comes a decisive step closer to fulfilling his NFL dream.
Platzgummer made the leap as a participant in the International Pathway Program. On Monday the league announced that the Austrian and the German David Bada (Washington Redskins) are among the four players who will receive a place in an NFL squad.
“It was an incredibly nice feeling to get the redeeming news,” enthused Platzgummer.
In addition to the previous Swarco Raiders player, Bernhard Seikovits, another Austrian, was able to prove himself in this program aimed at international talent.
Raiders: “Sandro is one of us”
Nine international players trained a total of eight weeks in Florida in order to get a little closer to the big goal of the NFL.
The dream seemed to be in jeopardy due to the corona pandemic and the hasty journey home. On Saturday, at two o’clock in the morning, the all-important call finally came.
VIDEO: Escape from NFL Paradise:
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A message that also makes Raiders President Elisabeth Swarovski burst with pride: “Sandro is one of us, a real homebrew of the Raiders. Our consistent work with youngsters creates talents who help Austria play attractive American football at the highest European level More is only possible in the US The fact that Sandro is now one of only nine players worldwide has succeeded in buying a ticket for inclusion in the squad of an NFL club is a huge reward for his ambitious training and certainly also one great motivation boost for all Raiders athletes. “
AFBÖ President Michael Eschlböck is pleased: “For Austria and the youth work here in Austria, this great success is a real confirmation. Congratulations to Sandro and the Swarco Raiders Tirol. We are very happy for Sandro, who diligently took this opportunity and determination. “
Historic opportunity for Football Austria
Platzgummer has therefore taken the difficult step of even fighting for a chance in the NFL paradise. The way to actually be on the field in an NFL match is still a long one for the running back.
The current phase of the new season is in which all 32 NFL teams inflate their squads to up to 90 players who, in the course of preparation, brutally hack and stab each other for the 53 places in the active squad for the start of the season to back up.
???????????????? The successors of @JohnsonJakob: David Bada (D-Line) from Germany and Sandro Platzgummer (RB) from Austria made it into NFC East via the International Pathway Program! ????????????????????@Redskins @ DavidBada8 @Giants
All information ???? https://t.co/44nEC7PJCl pic.twitter.com/Acal4AIT4k
– NFL Germany (@NFLGermany) April 27, 2020
Platzgummer now has this chance – and to get that far as a field player is downright historic from a red-white-red perspective. With Toni Fritsch and Toni Linhart, Austria brought two former footballers into the NFL as kickers, but there has never been such a concrete chance for a field player.
NFL pushes international players
It certainly helps that the NFL is trying to spread the sport even more internationally and is also increasingly looking beyond the US when it comes to players.
One of the NFL divisions – in this specific case NFC East – was selected at random, in which the international players will receive an additional place in the preliminary training roster. However, only four of the nine international players make it into this next stage.
If the place in the 53-man roster does not work right away, there is a possibility that the international athletes can keep the additional place in the Practice Squad for one year. Even if this means that they cannot be appointed to the active squad, it is a unique opportunity for personal and athletic development.
The next chance would be in the following year.
What can Platzgummer expect in New York?
When Platzgummer will dare to move to New York is open due to the corona pandemic. This also messes up the NFL’s offseason schedule.
Before the trip to the “Big Apple” is due, Platzgummer wants to make the best possible use of the time with online training courses and meetings.
What does Platzgummer expect from the Giants?
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A four-time Super Bowl champion, who has been in a sporting crisis in recent years and, after saying goodbye to Eli Manning, who is responsible for the most recent two titles (2008 and 2012 against the New England Patriots), in the middle of it Rebuilding is stuck.
New head coach, young quarterback and a budding superstar
With Joe Judge, a new head coach was signed in January, a new quarterback hopeful has been on board with Daniel Jones since the 2019 season.
The Giants’ figurehead is currently undisputed running back Saquon Barkley, who took the league by storm in his rookie year in 2018. In the past season, however, the budding superstar struggled with persistent injuries.
The New Yorkers closed the 2019 regular season with a modest record of four wins and twelve defeats.
In the NFL draft last weekend, the franchise was consequently in fourth place and chose Tackle Andrew Thomas as a much-needed reinforcement for the O-Line.
How cool would it be if he blocked for an Austrian named Sandro Platzgummer in the near future?!?
The LAOLA1 analysis of the first round of the NFL draft:
LAOLA1 visits Toni Fritsch’s family in Houston:
Austrians and the NFL:
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