German Football League: Cologne Crocodiles sign Canadian QB Christian Strong

| American Football | 04/20/2021

The Cologne Crocodiles of the German Football League (GFL) have signed Canadian-born quarterback Christian Strong from Seton Hill University (NCAA Div. II).

Strong, a 6’4″, 214 pound Brampton, Ontario native, spent the 2019 season with the GFL’s Düsseldorf Panther where he threw for 2,061 yards and 13 touchdowns. He had signed to play with the Hildesheim Invaders for the 2020 season before the GFL was cancelled.

He grew up in Florida and then spent four years at Seton Hill and in his final three seasons with the Griffins completed 741 of 1,289 passes for 9,395 yards and 62 touchdowns. In his senior season, he set all kinds of passing records finishing with 3,074 yards passing. One of the highlights of his career was being named the Division II HERO of the Week in his junior season for his performance against BR 89 Kutztown when he threw for 517 yards and four touchdowns in a 44-22 victory. In 2018, he played for the Brisbane Rhinos in Gridiron Queensland League in Australia. He was named league MVP after leading the Rhinos to the championship game. He threw for 2,830 yards and 46 touchdowns that season.

Strong on coming back to Germany for the 2021 season in Cologne:

“Cologne’s offer came at a perfect time, when things for me seemed a bit uncertain at the moment. I had great conversations with Coach Odenthal and was also very intrigued by the product of football they presented on the field from 2019 in our last GFL season. Joining the Crocodiles for this year made me feel more secure in knowing that I will be apart of an organization with great tradition. From the city, coaches, players, and entire personnel staff; Cologne seems like a perfect fit.”

The young Canadian joins a Cologne team that narrowly missed the playoffs in 2019 and looks to return to the post season under veteran coach Patrick Köpper.

Highlights from 2019 GFL season with Düsseldorf Panther
Highlights from Seton Hill

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