The Düsseldorf Rhein Fire of the European League of Football have signed their first American import in international veteran Nathaniel Robitaille.
Robitaille brings two German Bowl championships and six years of European experience to the ELF expansion franchise.
The 6’1, 195-pound receiver has spent the last two seasons playing for the Seinäjoki Crocodiles in the Finnish Maple League. Throughout his time in Seinäjoki, the 28-year-old was a versatile weapon lining up at a host of positions including quarterback, safety, receiver, cornerback, and kick returner. Last season, Robitaille battled through injuries playing in eight games for the Crocodiles.
Nathaniel Robitaille took this one for 95 yards to help lead the @Crocodilesoffic to a 42 -6 victory in today's game in Finland 🇫🇮! pic.twitter.com/cE9QEaPzM9
— American Football International (@AFIReview) August 29, 2020
This certainly won’t be Robitaille’s first time playing Germany as he suited up for the Frankfurt Universe and Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns from 2016 to 2019. After racking up 23 catches for 577 yards and nine touchdowns for the Universe in 2016, Robitaille signed with the Unicorns the following off-season. For the next three seasons, he rose to become one of the league’s best pass-catchers amassing 3,597 yards receiving yards and 57 total touchdowns as the Unicorns won back-to-back German Bowl titles in 2017 and 2018. The dynamic receiver and return man finished the 2017 and 2019 seasons with 2,171 and 2,005 all-purpose yards respectively.
Nathaniel Robitaille ( @unicornsfootbal ) war am Wochenende nicht zu stoppen. Insgesamt sorgte er für 296 Yards Raumgewinn und erzielte dabei 5 Touchdowns! pic.twitter.com/uItorBu6zG
— German Football League (@GFLinfo) August 21, 2018
Before coming to Europe, Robitaille was a three-year starter at Stonehill College (NCAA Div. II) in Easton, Massachusetts. During those three years, (2012, 2013, 2014) he amassed 2,739 yards on 196 receptions catching 25 touchdown passes. He also had 3,557 yards in all-purpose yardage. His impressive collegiate career earned him an invitation to the FCS National Bowl All-Star Game and the University of Massachusetts NFL pro day.
The Rhein Fire’s highly anticipated return to the field will feature several veterans of the European game as Robitaille joins experienced offensive lineman Sven Breidenbach, running back Jason Aguemon, and ELF All–Star guard Nick Wiens. Düsseldorf has yet to announce its head coach and quarterback for the upcoming season as nostalgic NFL Europe fans look forward to the return of the team in the ELF.
Watch Robitaille’s highlights here
