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Düsseldorf-born Patriot hoists Lombardi trophy

DPA/The Local
DPA/The Local - [email protected]
Düsseldorf-born Patriot hoists Lombardi trophy

For the first time ever, a Super Bowl ring will find its home on a German finger after Sebastian Vollmer of the New England Patriots helped his team to victory against the Seattle Seahawks in Sunday's game.

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The offensive tackle player from Düsseldorf saw his dream of holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy after six years in the league at the 49th Super Bowl played in Arizona.

"I have no words. It's insane," Vollmer told Sat.1 broadcaster after the game.

Vollmer's victory is the first time a German player has been on a Super-Bowl-winning NFL team. Previously, Miami Dolphins kicker Uwe von Schumann made it to the big game with his team in 1983 and 1985, though the team lost both games.

"I have no words right now. But whether I'm German or American, it doesn't matter - I won the game as an athlete," he said. 

The game was decided in the final minutes of play when Patriots player Malcolm Butler intercepted a crucial pass from Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.  The Patriots won 28 to the Seahawks' 24.

 

Vollmer hoists the trophy. Photo: DPA

Vollmer began his career at the age of 14 near his hometown of Kaarst, where he led the local American football team, the Düsseldorf Panthers, to a 25-0 season. Shortly after, he was recruited to the University of Houston, becoming the first German player to be drafted from Germany into American football ranks.

He was drafted by the Patriots in 2009 and his contract, worth $27 million USD, will keep him with the team until 2017.

Sunday night's game was also a crowning glory for Vollmer's teammate, Tom Brady, who collected his fourth Super Bowl ring Sunday night.

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