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By
Ken Maguire
MUNICH
(AP) — Germany’s influence on the NFL dates back to the league’s early days
when the Nesser brothers played for the Columbus Panhandles.
The
NFL maintains a list of 84 players who were born in Germany and played at least
one regular-season game.
Many of them, however, lived just a few years in Germany and
grew up in the United States — such as the Nesser brothers and Hall of Fame
defensive lineman Ernie Stautner.
Pipelines
into the league today include the International Player Pathway program, as well
as the traditional route of U.S. colleges.
Young
European players now go on summer tours and compete against top Americans at
high-profile clinics.
German players tend to lead the way among the Europeans earning Division I scholarships. German defensive lineman Hero Kanu was heavily recruited
and chose Ohio State.
They don’t always pan out at the highest level. Wide receiver
Moritz Böhringer had no U.S. high school or college experience when the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the sixth round
in 2016. He made it to the practice squad.
With
the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Germany on Sunday, here’s a look at
some of the German born-and-raised players who have made an impact.
MARKUS
KUHN
New England Patriots defensive lineman
Markus Kuhn (94) walks on the field during an NFL football training camp
practice Saturday, July 30, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. AP Photo/Michael Dwyer
The
defensive tackle’s four-year NFL career with the New York Giants was
highlighted by a touchdown he scored after a
fumble recovery against the Tennessee Titans in 2014.
The
Giants selected the Weinheim native in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL draft.
Kuhn tore his ACL in his rookie year and played 39 games in total. Kuhn is now
a popular commentator in Germany.
