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ELF: Homegrown Hero Series – French DE Stanley Zeregbe’s Homecoming

Alex Malchow

As the mid-season point of the European League of Football season looms, 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.

The first edition of the ELF Homegrown Hero series caught up Munich Ravens running back Tomiwa Oyewo who recently put up 212 all-purpose yards and three scores as the Ravens beat the Barcelona Dragons last week.

Next in the ELF series is French edge defender Stanley Zeregbe of the Paris Musketeers.

Zeregbe made his presence felt in the Musketeer’s week one debut against the Cologne Centurions notching three sacks. Since then, the French defender has put together four and a half sacks and 13 tackles in four games so far this season.

The 25-year-old got his start playing American football for the La Courneuve Flash in 2011 before making his way to the French National Team, the Thonon Black Panthers, and the Ravensburg Razorbacks of the German Football League. In 2022, Zeregbe joined the Berlin Thunder of the ELF racking up six and half sacks playing alongside tw0-time defensive player of the year Kyle Kitchens.

The Musketeers pass rusher sat down with us for quick Q&A discussing his football story and thoughts on his first season in the ELF:

AFI: How did you start playing football?

Zeregbe: I started American football thanks to a friend who was walking around wearing a helmet I asked him where he does it and I went with him to training since I didn’t let go anymore

AFI: What is your goal through the sport?

Zeregbe: My goal through sport is to surpass myself progress as a man on and off the field and reach the highest level

AFI: How does it feel to be a young player in ELF representing France?

Zeregbe: To be honest it’s really fun to play at home we really want to put France on the map and prove who can be the best in europe

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

Zeregbe: I don’t have a better one in particular, but all the time I’ve been champions, I have wonderful memories.

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

Zeregbe: I hope that with the arrival of the ELF, which is the best league in Europe, in Paris, it will make people grow and change their mentality. The ELF will be a doorway for many players who will not have the chance to go to the United States or Canada and the fact that there is a franchise will make the sport grow because everyone wants to be part of it and there is only the best who will make it.

AFI: What’s it like for you living and playing in Paris and being part of the new Musketeers franchise?

Zeregbe: it’s really special because for many of us who play abroad playing in front of our families and friends to represent our country is always an honor so I’m honored to be here today. to be in the first franchise in Paris is a lot of work because it is a first in history and to be the first to do what we have done and put French football on the map is our mission.

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