A historic step on a protracted highway to success – Muricas News

Soccer pioneer Bernhard Raimann wrote sports activities historical past, all doorways are open to him within the NFL.

“It was an indescribable feeling,” stated Bernhard Raimann after his debut within the NFL. The 24-year-old wrote Austrian sports activities historical past on Sunday. He was the primary Austrian who shouldn't be a kicker to play in the perfect soccer league on the planet.

His Indianapolis Colts saved themselves after falling behind in extra time, however missed out on the win there. Ultimate rating in opposition to the Houston Texans was 20-20. Nonetheless, the frustration concerning the missed opening win didn't final lengthy. The enjoyment of his first project was too nice. Consultants agree: That was only the start, Raimann can obtain nice issues within the NFL.

“I’ve dreamed of this for years. I nonetheless don’t consider that it’s lastly grow to be actuality myself,” he stated after the sport, “typically I've to pinch myself as a result of it nonetheless feels slightly faux.” When he was nonetheless enjoying for the Vienna Vikings in his youth performed, he was nonetheless jealous of the footballers who stuffed the stadiums. There have been nearly 70,000 followers within the stadium in Houston – few Austrian footballers will play in entrance of such a backdrop.

Raimann got here off the bench in opposition to Houston, the left deal with was glad along with his efficiency, however in fact it wasn’t excellent. “I nonetheless have lots to study.” And it's exactly this perspective that permits him to have an awesome future. Raimann shouldn't be (but) the perfect participant in his place, however he needs to enhance each second. He's categorized as extraordinarily “coachable”, which suggests: He's straightforward to coach and shortly implements the coaches’ directions.

The Austrian NFL pioneer has solely been enjoying the left deal with place for 2 years. That is thought of one of the essential in soccer, during which he has to dam paths for his working again and, above all, defend his quarterback. It isn't stunning that his head coach Frank Reich stated: “Generally he's nonetheless a bit inexperienced.” Nonetheless, the postscript needs to be encouraging: “However it's clear that he has the bodily conditions and the required toughness to tackle this place to play.”

Raimann at present has one other veteran in entrance of him in Matt Pryor. Nonetheless, it appears solely a matter of time earlier than the native of Steinbrunner fights for a spot within the beginning lineup. In any case, he has already arrived within the workforce. As an initiation ritual, he needed to sing the Austrian nationwide anthem in entrance of the assembled workforce. “Positively with crooked tones, however with full dedication,” stated Raimann, “they let me get away with it.”

One other level that speaks for a splendid future is Raimann’s irrepressible ambition. He noticed the 20:20 draw in opposition to Houston as a “large setback on the best way to the Tremendous Bowl”.

As a result of that’s precisely the place he needs to go, successful titles is the aim. “The sky is the restrict” is his motto.