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ELF: Homegrown Hero Series – Rhein Fire’s Marius Kensy

Alex Malchow

The final third of the European League of Football has arrived and the ELF’s third season has shown the promising development of many domestic players.

With that in mind, the ELF Homegrown Hero series aims to shine a light on those players outside of the US and Canada making an impact on the ELF.

One of the stories of the European League of Football this season has been the dominance of the undefeated Rhein Fire. One of the many key contributors to the Rhein Fire’s success especially on defense has been German linebacker Marius Kensy.

In eight games with the Rhein Fire, Kensy has racked up 57 tackles leading the team. Kensy, however, has done more than just chase down ball carriers, changing the game on several occasions totaling up eight tackles for a loss, one sack, and one pick-six. 

The 25-year-old was one of several talented homegrowns who joined the Rhein Fire this off-season. Last year, Kensy totalled 54 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in only nine games for the Cologne Centurions. The year prior, he was an ELF All-star leading the Centurions with 64 tackles and 13.5 tackles for a loss. 

Prior to joining the ELF, Kensy was a standout player for the Cologne Crocodiles in the German Football League attracting attention from the Canadian Football League, earning an invite to the CFL’s global combine in Germany in 2019. 

Kensy sat down with us for a quick Q&A on his football journey and his thoughts on the 2023 season. 

AFI: How did you start playing football?

Kensy: I started playing in 2009 with my local team the Gelsenkirchen Devils. My neighbour asked me to join the open practice on Halloween night. I did it, and now I live for this sport

AFI: What is your goal through the sport?

Kensy: My goal is to get better year by year and play football at one of the highest levels in the world (NFL,CFL, XFL, ELF).

AFI: How does it feel to be playing for the league’s top team?

Kensy: It feels good to be part of the 2023 Fire Team. we have big goals this year, but we are going game by game.

AFI: What’s your favorite football memory so far?

Kensy: Playing in front of 32,500 People in week 2 against Hamburg. That was unreal.

AFI: What’s the future of football in Germany?

Kensy: I think the future is the European League of Football.

AFI: What’s it like for you playing for former NFL head coach Jim Tomsula?

Kensy: I respect him a lot, as a coach and human being, with him, we have one of the most professional football organisations in Europe

AFI: What’s the goal of the Rhein Fire this season?

Kensy: I think every team wants to play in the championship game this Year. We also, especially this would be a home game for us.

AFI: What makes you guys so dominant this year?

Kensy: We had a good off-season, having a lot of talent in this team and a very professional coaching staff. But the most important thing is that we work together as a team.

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