Thomas Schaffer gets a contract with Chicago Bears

Thomas Schaffer wanted to be the first Austrian to be elected in an NFL draft.

When the talent draw in the best football league in the world ended with the 259th pick after three exhausting days, the Austrian was brought back down to earth. The defensive end fell through the grid in the draft.

But his dream of the NFL is still alive. Because: The 24-year-old got a contract with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent. Now Schaffer has to prove himself in the Bears training camp.

Schaffer: “Ready to Shock the NFL”

The NFL newcomer has decided to start his new mission: “I’m ready to shock the world and the NFL,” the two-meter giant made clear in a first statement.

He is not deterred by the setback in the draft. “Some of the best players in the NFL have been undrafted,” said Schaffer, adding, “What really matters is the performance in the camps.”

Schaffer continues: “As soon as I’m in camp, I have no doubt that I’ll make it into the team. It’s just my mentality, that’s always been the case. I have the talent and the ambition to do it.”

Schaffer already demonstrated his talent during his college days. In just six games he had 20 tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks. This made the Viennese the sack leader of the Stanford Cardinals.

Even though the young talent got off to a difficult start in college. After a season without a game, Schaffer only came to one game in 2017 due to an illness. Only then did he manage to improve from season to season.

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Schaffer: “I’m tough”

The NFL, however, is a completely different caliber: Making it to the final 55-man squad for the season is difficult. Dozens of players will be struck off their payrolls by the start of the season.

Schaffer was nevertheless optimistic that he would survive the squad cuts. “I’m tough. Every adversity I have faced in life I have attacked and found a way to overcome it – on and off the field,” he said in an interview with nfldraftdiamonds.com.

“I’m exactly what I expect of myself: a smart, tough and physical football player,” said Schaffer, who compares himself to Colts professional DeForest Buckner:

“He’s someone I’ve watched for many years and with whom I feel connected. He’s a tall and athletic player with characteristics similar to mine. If I get the chance, I can be as successful in the NFL as him . “

Austria before premiere in NFL

Schaffer was Austria’s first footballer at a top university. Now the NFL newbie has the chance to make even more history. He would be the first Austrian footballer in a position other than that of the kicker, which is used in an NFL game.

So far Austria’s appearances have been limited to the kickers Toni Fritsch, Toni Linhart and Raimund Wersching. Günther Enz played preseason games for the San Diego Chargers in the 1970s as a kicker, but never made it to a regular season game.

And then there is Sandro Platzgummer with the New York Giants. However, the running back had to pause in the preseason of last season due to the corona and stayed in the training squad afterwards.

With his ambition, self-confidence and a little luck, Schaffer could soon ensure a premiere in his home country.

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