Video interview: The return of Stuttgart Surge QB Reilly Hennessey
By Jordan Pryor, Fourth Down Fiasco
After the Stuttgart Surge narrowly lost to the Rhein Fire in the 2023 ELF Championship Game, questions arose about quarterback Reilly Hennessey’s future in the European League of Football. It was already known that Hennessey had plans to step away from the league, but after coming so close to winning it all with Stuttgart, walking away became increasingly difficult.
“Last year was supposed to be my last year… the reason I came back was to win, to win football games, and to win the last one,” Hennessey shared in an interview with Fourth Down Fiasco. He emphasized in our sit-down that winning is his sole focus.
The 2024 Stuttgart team, which has seen significant continuity over the past three years, is bringing back most of their roster from last year’s championship loss and has looked dominant throughout this season. With victories over playoff contenders like the Munich Ravens and Raiders Tirol, Hennessey attributes much of their success to the team’s continuity and chemistry. Hennessey himself has been outstanding, leading the league with a QBR of 128.2 (among all qualifying quarterbacks) and boasting an impressive 25:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Natural Leader
Hennessey embodies the essence of a natural-born leader. He remains humble, rarely mentioning his own success and constantly crediting his teammates and coaching staff. When asked about the possibility of being named league MVP, he downplayed it:
“Those things are cool to win, but… you don’t play the game to throw a billion touchdowns.”
He even recounted how, despite winning numerous awards during his senior year of high school, the season felt “lacking” because they lost the state championship game. Hennessey has relentless desire to win and his understanding that teamwork is the key to achieving that goal, highlights his maturity and exceptional leadership qualities. His focus is so intense that he is uncertain about his plans beyond this season, fully dedicated to winning every remaining game. Hennessey’s drive, focus, and unwavering desire to win will undoubtedly be on full display for the rest of the season.
Looking Ahead
This past weekend, Stuttgart secured a playoff berth with a decisive 51-18 win over the Milano Seamen. However, with Rhein just one game behind in the standings, the Surge hasn’t yet guaranteed a playoff bye. But with a team mindset of winning each game as it comes, their path back to the championship game is well within reach. The big matchup still ahead is next week’s game against Raiders Tirol, who are tied with Munich for the last playoff spot. Tirol, who nearly staged a massive comeback against Stuttgart earlier in the season, is in desperation mode with their playoff hopes on the line. Expect them to give the Surge their best shot.
The Final Ride
While Hennessey has no post-ELF plans at the moment, he has made it clear that this is his final ride in the league. As the playoffs approach, Stuttgart has their sights set on one goal: becoming champions. There is an unshakeable belief within the team that they can achieve it. The players are locked in, the chemistry continues to grow, and Stuttgart is pushing full steam ahead. Will the Surge avenge their 2023 season by bringing home the gold? Will Reilly Hennessey ride off into the sunset as a winner and local hero? Only time will tell, but there are few stories in the ELF more exciting than the Hennessey-led Surge.
