‘SEIKO’ BACK FROM ARIZONA, REJOINS VIKINGS

Craig Llewellyn World Football

Erstwhile Arizona Cardinal Bernhard Seikovits has rejoined the Vienna Vikings after four years in the National Football League.

The tight end, a Vienna native, spent the past four years chasing the NFL dream while gaining invaluable experience at the highest level, having initially been accepted onto the International Player Pathway Programme as a ‘promising talent’. After participating in the IPP twice, he made the leap to the USA when he was signed by the Cardinals to fill the ‘international player’ exemption’ on the team’s roster, but now returns to the club where he first got a taste for the game.

“What a homecoming! What a signing!” Vikings head coach Chris Calaycay exclaimed. “We are thrilled to have Bernhard back with us. He’s an outstanding player with an impressive career and an inspiring story. Having him back in Vienna is exciting for us. I am very happy that Bernhard is a Viking again.”

Seikovits began his football career at the age of 10 as a member of the Vikings’ youth programme, quickly developing into one of the most exciting and outstanding talents in Austrian football. He played quarterback in the youth categories before moving to wide receiver on the men’s team at a young age, and subsequently being encouraged to switch to tight end while on the IPP.

Now the 28-year-old — who stands 6’5″ and weighs 240 lbs — finds things coming full circle as he returns to his athletic and family roots.

“Vienna is, and always has been, my home,” Seikovits commented. “When it became clear that my time in the USA was coming to an end, the fantastic opportunity arose to fulfill my dream of playing for the Vikings again.

“Of course, I listened to and considered offers from other European teams but, from a player’s perspective, I believe the Vienna Vikings are the team in Europe that offers the most professional environment for an athlete. I’m incredibly happy to be a Viking again!”

Seikovits’ return will effectively fill a hole left by Florian Bierbaumer’s drafting by the UFL’s Louisville Kings in January.