Bernhard Raimann

The National Football League (NFL) proudly boasts the talents of several international players, one of whom is Bernhard Raimann – an Austrian professional American football offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts. Born in Steinbrunn, Austria on September 23, 1997, Raimann’s football career started back at home when he joined the Vienna Vikings’ youth team at the tender age of 14, demonstrating his early prowess in the American sport.

His educational background remained closely linked to his passion for sports. Raimann spent his teenage years at Ballsportgymnasium in Vienna, a publicly-funded upper secondary school specifically tailored to nurture elite competitive athletes’ talents. A significant twist in his educational journey occurred during his junior year when Raimann crossed the Atlantic to enroll at Delton-Kellogg High School in Delton, Michigan, stepping onto the soil where football is deeply ingrained in the country’s culture.

His life while on exchange in Michigan had a considerable influence on his future career trajectory. He stayed with a host family which included Rollie Ferris, a former Central Michigan University football player, and Tyden Ferris, his future college teammate. This early exposure to football culture in America sparked his decision to commit to playing college football at Central Michigan University when he returned to Austria to complete his compulsory military service.

Raimann’s initial experience with college football was as a tight end during his initial two seasons at Central Michigan. He proved his talent by catching twenty passes over these seasons, covering 164 yards. After his sophomore year, he took on a more significant role for the Chippewas when he shifted to the offensive tackle position, thus asserting his adaptability on the field. In an unfortunate turn of events, his performance was hampered when his final season was abbreviated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these setbacks, Raimann’s performance left a strong impression. His exceptional skills on the field led to Pro Football Focus naming him their Offensive Player of the Year for the Mid-American Conference in 2021. This recognition catapulted him towards an even bigger platform, setting the stage for his remarkable entrance into the NFL, where he would be picked by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2022 draft.

Raimann’s arrival in Indianapolis coincided with the team struggling with its offensive line. The Colts were banking on moving veteran lineman Matt Pryor to the pivotal left tackle spot, but the experiment was a failure. Having observed Raimann’s potential, head coach Frank Reich decided to turn to the Austrian in Week 5. It was a risky move, but one that paid off handsomely; Raimann started 11 of the final 13 games of his rookie year.

In the offseason, Raimann committed himself to becoming even better. He dedicated much of his energy to building his strength and endurance, putting on an additional 15 pounds to his already imposing 6’6” frame. This physical development and his incredible rookie year performance led to him being named the starting left tackle from the opening week of the 2023 season.

Raimann didn’t disappoint in his sophomore season. His performance notably improved, as he allowed fewer quarterback sacks and had considerably fewer penalties. According to Sports Info Solutions analysis, his rate of quarterback sacks allowed fell from 2.2% as a rookie to 1.2% in his second year. His percentage of blown run blocks also dropped significantly from 3.7% to 2.1%. Likewise, despite participating in 180 more passing snaps, his number of penalties declined from seven to four when compared to his rookie campaign.

For the Austrian offensive tackle, it has been a journey of exploration, perseverance, hard work, and significant achievements. From a teenager practicing American Football in Austria to a professional player in the NFL, Bernhard Raimann’s journey continues to inspire aspiring athletes across the globe.