Alfieri brothers team up for Germany’s Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns

| American Football | 01/02/2022

For the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, the cliche “football is family” continues to ring true. Now more than ever.

The south German powerhouse features a large core of players and coaches that have lined up next to each other for the better part of the last decade. Since 2016, one key part of that core has been former Georgetown University (NCAA D1 FCS) linebacker Nick Alfieri. In his five-seasons in Schwäbisch Hall, the Italian–American has made 364 tackles, 44 tackles, 11 sacks, and five interceptions.

The Unicorns veteran has been part of five straight German Bowl appearances and back-to-back championships in 2017 & 2018. The former film student has also raised the Unicorns profile off the field, producing various film projects involving the Schwäbisch Hall club on his youtube channel. Unsurprisingly, he recently announced his return to the team for the 2022 season:

“Yes, I’m still part of the Unicorns and I’ll be part of the Unicorns again in 2022!”

This year, the already large Alfieri presence in Schwäbisch Hall will double as Nicks’s younger brother Michael “Mikey” joins the Unicorns for the 2022 season. Michael is a former running back for the Oregon State Beavers in the Pac–12 conference (NCAA D1). “The 23-year old commented on joining his older brother in Germany:

“I chose the Unicorns because of their team culture, their excellent team of coaches, and the high level of play that has made them a top team at the GFL over the years. I want to be part of the tradition that the Unicorns are known for and I want to help develop it. My goal is to win the German Bowl and the CEFL title with this team in 2022. “

The 6’0 195-pound running back played ten games for the Beavers primarily on special teams making four tackles. Offensively, he totaled 22 rushing yards and one catch for eight yards. Unicorns head coach Jordan Neumann commented on the addition of another Alfieri:

“We are very happy to have another Alfieri on the team,” said Neumann, “As far as I know so far, he’s simply the younger version of Nick and therefore fits perfectly into the unicorn culture!”   

For Older brother Nick, the chance to play with his young sibling for the first time is something he doesn’t take for granted:

“One of my dreams has always been to play on the same team as one of my brothers. Now at the age of 29, it’s finally happening.”

Expect the division one talent to add explosive plays to the Unicorns offensive as Michael and fellow Italian–American quarterback Reilly Hennessy will be the focal points of the Schwäbisch Hall backfield. Defensively, older brother Nick will be back in green for his sixth season with the Unicorns as they look to get back to the German Bowl for an eighth straight season.

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and