Bernhard Seikovits is one of many fresh faces on the Arizona Cardinals, joining the team as a tight end, courtesy of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. The program also ensures that Seikovits will stay on Arizona’s practice squad as an extra member, should he not make the roster.
Seikovits is also making history as he is the first Austrian-born NFL tight end. Now, it’s just a matter of proving he’s got the skill and the potential to make the cut. It’s a path that’s not insurmountable, but lengthy nevertheless.
Historically, most Austrian NFL players have been kickers, but Seikovits aims to change that. Not to mention Seikovits isn’t even the only active Austrian-born player; Sandro Platzgummer is currently listed as a running back on the New York Giants.
Looking back on those who came before, Seikovits has a chance to break the mold on how more successful an Austrian can be in the NFL.
Toni Fritsch
The very first Austrian to enter the league, Toni Fritsch enjoyed a lengthy career as a soccer player, being a striker for the club Rapid Vienna and the Austria national football team.
In what was one of the greatest soccer games of his life, Fritsch scored the only two goals he ever made for the national team against England in Wembley Stadium on October 20, 1965. The 3-2 victory made headlines as the third instance of a continental European team beating England on its own pitch.
After winning three league titles with Rapid Vienna, Fritsch became noticed by scouts for the Dallas Cowboys in 1971. He was brought on for a tryout and made the team despite never having played NFL football.
Fritsch saw his first action in a November 1971 game against the St. Louis Cardinals. With the Cowboys needing a field goal to win, Fritsch came out for a 26-yard attempt. Cardinals linebacker Larry Stallings tried to heckle him, but Fritsch, who barely spoke any English, wasn’t fazed and nailed the kick for a 16-13 win.
Fritsch would end his first NFL season with a hamstring injury; yet, not all was lost as he did end up a champion as Dallas won Super Bowl VI that same year against the Miami Dolphins.
During the 1972 season, Fritsch saw Dallas in trouble against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFC Divisional round. As Dallas tried to climb back in, Fritsch attempted an onside kick now known as the rabona. The rabona involves the kicking leg being crossed behind the other, Fritsch working it to perfection as the Cowboys would ultimately triumph over the 49ers, 30-28.
After being traded by Dallas in 1976, Fritsch would play for the Chargers, Oilers and Saints before retiring from the NFL in 1982. By then, he had become a Pro Bowler, a three-time league leader in field goal percentage and set a record 13 playoff games with a field goal. It’s a record that still stands to this day, Adam Vinatieri having tied in 2007.
Fritsch lived to be 60 years old, passing away in 2005 in Vienna due to heart failure.
Toni Linhart
As Fritsch was finding his footing in 1972, Toni Linhart entered the scene as a member of the New Orleans Saints. Like Fritsch, Linhart came from a soccer background before heading to the NFL, playing for Wiener Sportsclub and First Vienna FC. Linhart may have been a teammate of Fritsch at times when both played for the Austria national team.
The 1972 season with the Saints would prove to be a one-time gig, it wasn’t until Linhart joined the Baltimore Colts two years later that his career would grow.
1976 would be quite the year for Linhart, he received the first of two straight Pro Bowl selections in addition to winning the PFW Golden Toe award. Furthermore, Linhart led the NFL that season in points with 109.
Linhart’s time in Baltimore came to an end three games into the 1979 season due to issues with scoring. He would finish the season with the New York Jets before retiring for good.
Linhart died in 2013 at the age of 70, having lost his battle with cancer.
Ray Wersching
A longtime kicker for the San Francisco 49ers, Ray Wersching began with the San Diego Chargers in 1973, undrafted out of California. After four seasons with the Bolts, he came to the Bay where he won Super Bowls XVI and XIX with the Niners.
Wersching’s life after the NFL took a headline-catching turn in 2006 after he was indicted on an embezzlement charge involving his insurance agency. Wersching’s charges were dropped but his former partner was sent to federal prison.
Featured Image courtesy of Ernst Kainerstorfer/picturedesk.com
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