For the second year in a row, the Berlin Rebels, German Football League quarterfinalists in 2018, will be taking a page from the Philadelphia Eagles book and holding an open tryout this weekend in Berlin.
As famously depicted in the movie, Invincible, the Eagles held an open tryout in 1976 and out of it signed 30 year old Vincent Papale who went on to play for the team for three seasons.
The Rebels held their first open tryout in 2017 and from it signed defensive lineman Nelson Imasuen who played 15 games for Berlin last year and finished sixth on the team in tackles. They also signed another defensive lineman, Gabriel Venegas who played 11 games while Marcel Behm played in 15 games on the defensive line. Defensive back Luca Wetzstein who played in six games was also signed on open tryout day.
Under the watchful eye of head coach Kim Kuci and his staff along with 2018 Rebels players including Jamaal White, Rory Johnson, Gregro Lietzau, Paul Seifert, Gino Chongo and Sven Skora as well as others, a large contingent of player hopefuls will be tested and graded to see if they have the potential to play American football.
Berlin Rebels HC Kim Kuci addressing player hopefuls in 2017. Photo: Christian Goßlar
While it is not unusual for teams to hold open tryouts for all comers, it is unusual for so many players to get signed.
So with such a large number of players making the Rebels roster in 2018 from last year’s open tryout, the club is hoping to match that success. As one club official points out: “You never know who you’ll find at these tryouts.”
Date: Saturday, November 10
Time: Registration – 10 am, tryout 11 am
Place: Stadion Wilmersdorf, Fritz Wildung Straße, 14055 Berlin