The Indianapolis Colts secured the services of the 24-year-old in the third round with the 77th pick at the talent training of the US professional league in Las Vegas.
Born in Burgenland, he received a contract worth around five million euros, plus an additional million as a bonus for signing. “I had no idea that they would take me. I was hoping for it a bit, but of course there are no guarantees,” said Raimann, who is scheduled for the Colts as an offensive tackle or guard. “Me and my family were just hoping for Indy to call and waiting for the appropriate area code to light up.” He couldn’t describe his emotions, said Raimann, who witnessed the historic moment with his parents and his girlfriend Calli at their family home near Detroit.
Because of his performance as a Central Michigan University student with the Central Michigan Chippewas and his potential, he was expected to be called in the first or second round. The Colts then struck in the third.
Protective shield for Matt Ryan
The best-known player in the two-time Super Bowl winner (1971, 2007), who just missed the playoffs last season, is quarterback Matt Ryan. The 36-year-old only came in March from the Atlanta Falcons, with whom he reached the Super Bowl in 2016 but lost in a memorable game to the New England Patriots. From now on it will be Raimann’s job to protect the veteran.
First Austrian outfield player in the NFL
“This is a historic moment for Austrian football,” said Austria’s association president Michael Eschlböck. “Good team, good station, a real load fell from my heart.” Raimann showed that “with hard work and the right will in the land of unlimited opportunities you can become an NFL player as a ‘little’ Austrian'”. In autumn, Raimann, 2.01 meters tall and weighing 138 kilograms, could become the first Austrian outfield player to play an NFL game.
Three kickers were on the oval ball in the NFL in the 1970s and 1980s: Former national soccer player Toni Fritsch won the Super Bowl with Dallas in 1972, Raimund “Ray” Wersching was successful with San Francisco in 1982 and 1985. Third in the group was Toni Linhart, who was born in Styria.
Source: Nachrichten
