With Reece Horn, the Vienna Vikings are not only extending one of their cornerstones of the offense, they are also extending one of the best wide receivers in the European League of Football.

The US-American caught 75 passes for 1164 yards and 13 touchdowns last regular season - the most in a generally strong Vikings offense. In their two playoff games, Horn even caught passes for 233 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Three of them in the championship game against Rhein Fire. Now he is harvesting the reward for his hard work. Horn signed with the Vikings for another season. 

"First off, I just have to give a big shout-out to Robin, our owner in Vienna. He just does such a great job. He's a player's owner, and what I mean by that is, he cares about his athletes. He doesn't just write a check and expect wins. He works with us to help produce the best results we can. So it was really awesome when Robin came to me after the season, along with coach Chris, our head coach and offered me the contract", explains Horn. 

"We just got into talks kind of right away. They said, they'd love to have me back for another great season," he continues. The talks went on for several weeks. A decision was then made after the Championship Game against Rhein Fire and shortly after the start of the offseason.

Important for Horn, who had to return to the States shortly afterward to visit a day one great friend. "I wanted to get that contract done with Vienna because they gave me an opportunity when no one else did, and I am forever in debt to them and forever grateful."

Rejection as big motivation

Horn made his ELF debut for Frankfurt Galaxy. Where he put "all my blood, sweat and grind into it" After a year, the paths parted ingloriously without clear face-to-face communication, Horn says. "It really disheartens me."

Horn reveals that several teams had turned him down last offseason. "I remember easily seven or eight teams, I had talks with. They really dragged me a long in the offseason, telling me hey we're going to meet on this day, and when the day came I didn’t get a call."

Not an easy time for such an ambitious player, but he also takes some positives from it: "It was fuel to my fire. When I finally did get that call on a much more brighter note with Vienna, it fueled my fire even more, and I knew exactly who told me no in the past and who I remember really dragged me along in the offseason. And didn’t even give me a yes or no answer, and that was all I was looking for." Horn just wanted clarity and direct communication. 

The Vikings called in week 2 of last season and brought Horn back. The now 31-year-old already played for the Austrians between 2018 and 2019. A lot has changed since then. "It's definitely elevated. It got way more professional. Of course, everybody is still the same, so everybody has such a great time. But it's not a club anymore, it's a franchise, in the best league for American football in Europe."

The experienced professional does not take the pre-season rejections personally. Rather, they were a source of motivation. With success. The Vikings won every game of the regular season. The opponents also included teams that had previously turned Horn down. "A lot of teams that passed on me didn't even make the playoffs. We beat them as well, and I personally had great games against them. It was just a big smile on my face."

Will stay for another year: Reece Horn. ©Jonas Wicker

Clarity and community work

Now Horn is simply happy that there is already clarity about his future. "Boom, we can focus on the offseason now. I did take some time to consider. But also, because I know my worth and I know what I bring to the table, not just as a leader, not just as a man, but also as an athlete on and off the field. I also do a lot of great community work," says the receiver.

For example, Horn works with local school classes and invites them to Vikings games. He also trains various athletes in Vienna. He says it’s very gratifying for him to make athletes who already have it in them even better and to help reach their full potential.

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The team remains

Also, because he continues to play alongside quarterback Ben Holmes "That's my guy, I love Ben," says Horn. Like him, Holmes has also extended his expiring contract for another season. "I think Ben is the best quarterback in this whole league. I am just so excited to be back with him. We did a ton of great things this past season. 2025 is going to be a whole new scary thing, now we get another year playing together. We laid the foundation, and now we can build up," says Horn happily.

In addition to Horn and Holmes, the Vikings also extended with other key players of the team. Especially in the offense.

Head coach Calaycay played another role in the consideration for Horn: "I love Coach Chris, such a nice guy. I owe him a lot because he gave me a shot when no one else did. We just have a great relationship." Horn trusts his coach. Calaycay is a symbol of the Vikings' success and culture. He has been on the Austrian sidelines for over 20 years.

Horn sees himself in an ambassadorial role

There were therefore many reasons for Horn to stay. After his contract extension, he can share his impressions with other players: "Now I can go out and talk to other athletes and say hey, you want to come to a winning franchise? Have some of the best athletes in Europe around you? Come to Vienna."

Vikings fans can therefore look forward to everything that is yet to come. With Coach Calaycay, Ben Holmes, the rest of the team, but above all a highly motivated Reece Horn: "My biggest goals personally are to be the biggest, strongest, fastest I can be, rolling into camp, week one to help the team win."

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