Call it what you want... Red Sox to Yankees, from Ford to Chevy, or
Benedict Arnold. The quest for a German Bowl title has begun with the Stuttgart Scorpions. I couldn't be more excited to be back in a place that treated me so well once before. A little over two weeks are in the books for my second stint as a German football player (real football). This go around will take place in a much larger city in southern Germany. Clocking in at 600,000 people, Stuttgart is the 6th largest city in Germany and has much to offer for a foreigner like myself. Home to the worlds second largest beer festival (Volksfest), Mercedes and Porsche museums, and plenty of parks, Stuttgart will surely keep me entertained off of football hours.
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| Lamborghinis and McLaren cars lined up at Motor World in Stuttgart |
Unlike the winter weather back home in Oregon that has been untraditionally warm, mother nature has provided rain, snow, and freezing temperatures the majority of the time so far here in south Germany. For the most part this has kept me from getting out and aquainted with all the city has to offer, but that won't last too long. With a few sun shiney days mixed in, I have been able to see a couple promising parks and take a journey up to
Birkenkopf, also known as "rubble hill". In short, Stuttgart got leveled during the war. Bombs wrecked shop on the city and destroyed nearly 45% of all of Stuttgart. During the rebuilding process, stone rubble matter had to be moved in order to rebuild the city.
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| "BIRKENKOPF / Originally 471 meters above sea level / now 511.2 meters above sea level / raised 40.2 meters from 1953 to 1957 / by piling up 1.5 million cubic meters of rubble from Stuttgart which had been 45% destroyed by 53 air attacks during the Second World War" |
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| "This hill / after the Second World War / built up from the / ruins of the city / stands / in memory of the victims / and as a warning to the living" |
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| Great 360 degree view of the city from the top |
The opportunity to come back to Germany to play/coach a game I love and have a passion for was close to a no brainer for me. Football is not nearly as popular as it is in the States. I openly admit that its popularity east of the Atlantic has been defeated by younger brother, soccer. That being said, I do believe it is growing. NFL games in London, games telecasted throughout the season, and the people who do know of the sport sincerely get excited to talk about it and learn more. German players like Sebastian Vollmer (Go Pats..),
Björn Werner, and Markus Kuhn have set the stage and opened the door for German success in American football. Kids eyes light up when you ask them who their favorite player in the NFL is. It's an easy decision to help coach and be around during the flaggies and juniors practices/games:
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| Die Junges in their flag football game at the gym. With all of the lines on the floor it looks like a scene from Tron.. Volleyball, basketball, handball, badminton, maybe soccer lines?? |
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| Gehen TSG Volleyball!!! |
In addition to getting to know my new city and teammates, I've had the chance to check out my two favorite fräuleins Eva and Anja compete in volleyball on the weekends. After an early season defeat to a team out of Nürtingen, Stuttgart, the TSG Volleyball team was seeking much needed revenge. And boy did they get it! Claiming victory 3:0
Last but not least... During the sunshine days I have witnessed a local legend in action.. Down in the center of town there is a homeless man who challenges people in games of chess. Apparently he is really good and will play two games at once if he needs to in order to keep up with challengers. Rumor has it past Americans have tried and failed. I plan on challenging this man one day. I feel like the chess set Santa gave me when I was five years old for Christmas is finally going to pay off. Also,
Bobby Ficsher (2:17) is pretty much family so this guy really doesn't stand a chance. Will keep you posted on results..
Go Scorpions,
Drew
