Wait, what...Germany?
It all started back in December of 2013. I had
never even heard of the German Football League but an old mentor from high
school called me asking if I would be interested in playing football in
Germany. Now I haven't played organized football since 2009, where I was
quarterback of the Carolina Speed Arena 2 football team, so this all came as a
shock. I got the details because another player that he had mentored had
played over here last year and said it was an awesome experience. I'm 28 and am
no spring chicken, but I had been playing in flag football leagues at least
once a year. The only thing was I was too busy. Between bartending
(making good money), entrepreneurial projects, reality tv, and growing in my
career, there was no way...right? I was too busy and washed up...right?
Enter my adventurous Soul
A couple of days later, I called mentor back
and told him that I was interested in talking to the coach of the Pirates.
He gladly gave me his number and I called Coach Mau for the first time
and we talked for about an hour. It felt right. I could,
hypothetically, put my life on hold back in Atlanta, and come have a little
adventure in Germany. I mean I had never been to Europe, and the schedule
would allow me to travel some and at the very least, get to put back on some
pads and sling the pigskin around again (something that I never thought I would
do). I talked to my family, friends, business partners, among others and they
all encouraged the opportunity so I said why the hell not! YOLO bitches.
Haha
Culture Shock
Moving to another country that doesn't speak
your native language is a challenge to say the least. ***It should be
noted that Chris and I are taking German classes to improve our Deutsch, but
the language is no cakewalk. But it's not just the language that can
throw you for a loop. Life, as I know it, might as well be thrown out the
window. So many things I have had to adjust to. For starters, I
didn't know how to drive a stick shift. The car that the Pirates so graciously
provided is obviously a manual so it was a fun 2 weeks learning how to drive
that puppy while stalling out at major intersections, getting honked at, and
being cussed out in German phrases I can only hope to learn. It was a
brand new car, but I would say that the clutch has seen better days.
Along with language and driving, it is so much more. The lifestyle
in general over here in Germany is much more laid back than in America.
People seem to be happy and in no rush with less stress. I think that we Americans
can learn something from this.
I will say that I have definitely had trouble
getting used to everything being smaller over here. EVERYTHING. There is no
wasted space in Europe from the beds, to the flats, to the showers, to the
cars. Hell, NOTHING is wasted over here. Hot water is heated up and
is not readily available at sinks. Cars are all smaller in order to get better
gas mileage, and parking lots are made for all compact cars.
So Here I am
So here I find myself sitting in Elmshorn,
Germany, a city that is a 20 minute train ride from Hamburg. I have been
here for 2 months living with my fellow American import/traveling companion,
Chris Willadsen, who I have become very close friends with. Our team is
1-1 with our first home game coming this upcoming weekend. I feel so
blessed to have been surrounded by such an awesome and welcoming group of
teammates, coaches, cheerleaders, and community at large. There are so
many moving parts, that without their help, none of this would have been
possible. We work for one the team's main sponsor, Das Futterhaus, which is
like the American version of PetSmart, three days a week. We practice 2-3
days a week and have games on Saturdays. I am also coaching the younger
pirates trying to groom the QB's to be great when they get old enough to play
with the senior team. Other than that, I am just living in the moment and
trying to help the Fighting Pirates win some games. Life is good and continues
to get better and better!
I love keeping up on social media so feel free
to follow me on all social media
(I’m on it all the time):
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-Tribble
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