Flag Football Takes Center Stage in Düsseldorf: A Touchdown for the Mayor and Sebastian Vollmer!
Well, it seems Düsseldorf is trading in its lederhosen for some football jerseys! That’s right, folks. Construction is underway at the district sports facility in Düsseldorf-Garath. You might think they’re building a giant beer hall, but nope! It’s a brand-new center for flag football with not one, but TWO fields!
Now, you might wonder, why flag football? Is it because regular football can get a little intense? We’re talking about a sport that barely allows you to tackle your fridge during the football season without facing serious consequences! And as if that wasn’t enough, the city has teamed up with none other than the NFL team New England Patriots. Yes, the same team that has an obsession with deflated balls—though I think they’re just blowing hot air about that now.
The second field is dedicated to Sebastian Vollmer, a man who’s not just a former Düsseldorf Panther player, but also the perfect ambassador for American football. Why? Because he’s done everything from winning not one, but TWO Super Bowls with the Patriots to turning his life’s work into a showcase for the rest of us. Who says you can’t teach football to an audience who thinks “quarterback” is a term used in finance?
“As a former Düsseldorf Panther player, Sebastian Vollmer is the perfect ambassador for American football,” said Düsseldorf Mayor Stephan Keller. Honestly, I can’t think of a better choice unless they were able to coax Tom Brady to hang up his personalized UGG boots! It’s inspiring, and likely requires less therapy than trying to convince local folks that American football isn’t just about tailgating for half-time nachos.
Vollmer, hailing from Kaarst, made his way up from the Düsseldorf Panthers to grab a football scholarship at the University of Houston. Fast forward to 2009, and this man’s living the dream after being picked in the second round by the Patriots. You know you’ve made it when your biggest worry is which championship ring looks better on your display case!
He’s not just a pretty face in a helmet; Vollmer is still linked to the league. These days he’s the international ambassador for the Patriots and an expert on NFL broadcasts for RTL. Talk about versatility! I mean, if only they paid the unpaid interns at the local beer garden the same amount for their “expertise” on beer selections.
Vollmer aims to inspire youth through flag football with statements like, “I am grateful and proud to be able to contribute to the further development of our sport.” Sounds noble, doesn’t it? It’s a cozy idea to think that in a few years, we might be seeing kids fighting over who gets to throw the spiral that makes their buddies swoon! Who knew tackling poverty could be so much fun?
Construction won’t take forever, either. The football fields are set to be completed by the end of THIS year (grab your hard hats, boys!). Rumor has it they’ll be ready for action in 2025. That’s right, folks. The official opening is planned for the spring—and can we just hope there will be nachos and beer at this “field day?” It’s a soft launch for the ultimate game day!
So buckle up, Düsseldorf! Whether you’re a local, a flag football fanatic, or just curious about this head-scratching sport, you might want to check out those fields in Garath soon. Who knows? You could witness a future NFL superstar in the making right before your very eyes. And if not, at least you can enjoy the sight of a bunch of players fumbling, just like during a typical family reunion BBQ!
Construction is currently underway at the district sports facility in Düsseldorf-Garath, where an innovative center for flag football is set to take shape. This ambitious project will encompass two fields, enhancing the local sports landscape. The city of Düsseldorf is spearheading the development of one of these fields in partnership with the esteemed NFL team, the New England Patriots. The second field is to be dedicated to Sebastian Vollmer, a distinguished athlete who played for the Patriots for an impressive eight seasons and celebrates the achievement of winning two Super Bowls during his tenure.
“As a former Düsseldorf Panther player, Sebastian Vollmer is the perfect ambassador for American football,” says Düsseldorf Mayor Stephan Keller. “His remarkable successes in the NFL serve as an inspiration to countless young athletes across our community. That’s why it brings us great pleasure to dedicate one of the two flag football fields in Garath to him, recognizing his contributions to the sport and his hometown.”
Vollmer, born in Kaarst, began his journey in football with the Düsseldorf Panthers before advancing to the University of Houston in 2004, where he earned a football scholarship. His NFL journey took off in 2009 when he was selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the Patriots, where he dedicated himself until the early months of 2017. As the most successful German NFL player in history, his legacy continues to thrive as he remains closely linked to the league. Vollmer serves as an international ambassador for the New England Patriots and shares his expertise as an analyst for NFL broadcasts on RTL, bridging the gap between fans and the game.
“I am grateful and proud to be able to contribute to the further development of our sport and to inspire young people for football with my own field in my home country,” expresses Vollmer with enthusiasm. “I’m eagerly looking forward to the first training camps and tournaments that we will hold together with the New England Patriots next year, fostering local talent and bringing the thrill of the game to our community.”
Anticipated completion of construction work on the two flag football fields in Garath is slated for the end of this year, with a planned opening for use by 2025. A celebratory inauguration event featuring Vollmer, Mayor Keller, and representatives of the New England Patriots is scheduled for the spring, marking a significant milestone in Düsseldorf’s sporting endeavors.
