How Valentin Senn got his foot in the NFL's door

On Sunday the new season of the National Football League (NFL) begins for the Indianapolis Colts and the 28‑year‑old Bernhard Raimann. At the same time, the 26‑year‑old Tyrolean Valentin Senn has gotten a foot in the door of the NFL by being called up to the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad.

Return after serious injury

Last year Senn's career hung by a thread when, in April after the draft, he tore a band in his neck; intensive strength and conditioning training saved the dream he harboured for the NFL.

The 26‑year‑old Tyrolean showed in the spring that his neck could withstand the stress tests, and he remained injury‑free during training camp. In an ORF interview he emphasized: “My job is to get better.”

During the four preseason games, from the Hall‑of‑Fame‑Game in August to the away game at the legendary Lambeau Field, Senn received positive feedback. The high‑gloss league described him as a red‑white‑red splash of colour that enriches the team with his versatility.

To increase his chances of making the 53‑man roster, Senn switched from left tackle to the guard position. He explained: “I asked if I could also play guard to get more snaps.”

Versatility as the key to a career

As a backup, Senn wants to master all five positions on the offensive line, because every backup should play at least two spots. This way he can increase his value and, in the long term, become a regular starter like Bernhard Raimann.

In another ORF interview he recalled the feeling of playing in front of 100,000 spectators: “My heart beats faster, but I’m getting used to it.” Fu remains for him a motivation to keep fighting. He said that he had already stood in college before 100,000 fans and uses the experience as special motivation. David Dermer reported on the conversation.

His predecessor Bernhard Seikovits was also an international player with the Cardinals, but only active as a tight end. A recently introduced rule now allows Senn to be theoretically “poached” by other teams, which further boosts his motivation. He emphasizes: “I have to focus on the things I can control.”

Senn invests daily in extra strength and conditioning sessions to meet the harsh realities of the NFL, where job security has no entry in the dictionary. He explains: “As long as I show progress, I have a job.”

Senn looks optimistically at the upcoming season, hoping to make the jump onto the active roster.