The Frankfurt Universe have signed Silas Nacita, the third leading rusher in the German Football League, for the 2017 season. Nacita rushed for 1,581 yards and 21 touchdowns with the Marburg Mercenaries in 2016.
When the 5’11”, 200 lb former Baylor University standout signed in Germany for the 2016 season, it created headlines throughout US college football and was even reported in Sports Illustrated.
Nacita’s background is decidedly unique.
He went from homeless to walk on at Baylor to star to a non player in a highly reported NCAA violations scandal which shunted him into football purgatory.
The player whom his coach at Baylor once described as a “borderline stud” has found a football home in Germany.
American Football International chatted with Silas about life playing football in Germany and his prospects for the 2017 season.
AFI: Why did you make the move from Marburg to the Universe?
Silas Nacita: I made the move to Frankfurt because it was ultimately the best fit for me. I loved Marburg and the people there, but the most important thing in my life is my faith and one big aspect of that is a church community. I didn’t have that in Marburg. However, in Frankfurt, there are a number of English-speaking Christian churches, so I would be able to find a community there.
AFI: How did you find out about playing in Europe before arriving last year?
Nacita: I played in an All-Star game called the Dream Bowl last year and my coach had played in Europe for a few years out of college and he told me about it. It was there that I got on Europlayers.com and made a profile.
AFI: What are you looking forward to most about playing in Frankfurt?
Nacita: I’m looking forward to the game days. Playing against the Universe in Frankfurt was by far the biggest and exciting game I had in Germany.
AFI: What do you enjoy about Germany?
Nacita: My favorite part of Germany is the people. Everyone I met was extremely kind and welcoming. I also love that it is in the middle of Europe, so I got to travel to many amazing places.
AFI: You did your own weekly videography last season. Where did it take you?
Nacita: I started “vlogging” because another American who plays at Schwabisch Hall does it and it inspired me to document my adventures in Europe. I love doing it and I actually might end up getting into videography when my football career is over. I used it to record my trips to England, Italy, France, Spain, Czech Republic, and all over Germany.
AFI: What are your “new” favorite foods in Europe?
Nacita: I love the “lahmuchen”. It’s like a Turkish burrito. The bakeries everywhere are awesome as well. One of my favorite things to do is sit down with a cup of coffee and a pastry from those old bread shops.
AFI: What do you think you can bring to the Universe, as leader and as a football player in 2017?
Nacita: I think the biggest thing I will bring to the Universe is my passion for the sport. I want to help the European players develop their skill and love for the game the way I have over my many years of playing. Good football players are a dime a dozen. I’m not going over there just to be a good player, but to make those around me better. Although, my own ultimate goal is to make the NFL, my purpose for being in Germany is much greater than that.
Interested in playing American football in overseas?
Register on Europlayers.com.
Europlayers is the largest online database of American football players, teams and coaches. It is a connector, bringing together and introducing athletes to overseas teams. On the site you can begin researching teams around the world. Once you create a profile, you become searchable by hundreds of American football clubs around the world.