When the AFI panel discussed the best offensive linemen in Europe for the AFI All Europe Team, one name kept popping up – Basil Weber of Finland’s Maple Bowl winning Kuopio Steelers.
In the end, he was a unanimous selection for left tackle and with good reason.
The 6’3″, 309-pound native of Lausanne, Switzerland was the anchor on the best offensive line in Finland, a unit that allowed just one quarterback sack all season long. The Maple League All Star and his offensive line teammates cleared the way for the highest scoring and rushing offense in the Maple League and created space for running back Le’Anthony Reasnover to rush for 1,252 yards, averaging a league-best 8.8 yards a carry in eight games.
According to Steelers quarterback Joey Bradley, Weber’s presence on the left side of the offensive line was important:
“It was a relief [having him there] because you knew you were gonna have time no matter what the matchup was. That’s huge for your blindside.”
The 32-year-old came to the Steelers after a German Football League championship-winning season in 2019 with the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions. He spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons with the Thonon Black Panthers, anchoring the offensive line and helping Thonon reach the French title game both years.
Kuopio Steelers head coach Pekka Utriainen on the impact of his left tackle in 2021:
“Basil is a steady, dominant player, and I guess the best thing about a left tackle is you tend to kind of forget he is on the field. Run or pass, the play just gets executed cleanly but powerfully.”
Weber’s impact on the Kuopio offense was not lost on opposing teams as Helsinki Wolverines head coach Michael Mattingly attests:
“Basil Weber was a machine this year in the Maple League. Technically sound, strong, smart and everything you would want in an offensive lineman. He is one of the best in Europe and very deserving of this selection.”