NFL to ELF - The impact of former NFL players on the ELF in 2021

When the European League of Football kicked off its first season in 2021, it quickly became more than just another league. It became a home for players who once touched the highest level of the game, the National Football League. Among them were several names who brought both experience and star power to European football fields to help raise awarness for what was to come.

Kasim Edebali – Hamburg Sea Devils

Kasim Edebali was one of the most recognizable faces entering the ELF in 2021. Born in Hamburg, the defensive end played college football at Boston College before joining the NFL, where he spent several seasons with the New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, and Cincinnati Bengals.

In 2021, he returned to his hometown as the face of the Hamburg Sea Devils. Edebali brought leadership and energy to the team, quickly becoming the emotional core of the defense. His presence on and off the field helped raise the level of professionalism in the league and inspired younger German players to dream bigger.

Phillip Friis Andersen – Hamburg Sea Devils

Phillip Friis Andersen’s path to the ELF was unique. The Danish kicker made NFL headlines when he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019, becoming one of the few Danes ever to sign with an NFL team. Although he did not play a regular season game, the experience shaped his career.

In the ELF, Andersen joined the Hamburg Sea Devils in 2021 and became one of the most reliable legs in Europe. Known for his calm demeanor and strong leg, he played a crucial role in several close games. His consistency and professional mindset showed how valuable a specialist with international experience can be in a young league.

Anthony Mahoungou – Frankfurt Galaxy

Anthony Mahoungou’s football story is one of perseverance. The French wide receiver played college football at Purdue University and briefly joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. After his NFL stint, Mahoungou returned to Europe and found new life in the ELF with the Frankfurt Galaxy.

In 2021, he quickly became one of the top receivers in the league, using his size, speed, and polished route running to dominate defenses. His chemistry with quarterback Jakeb Sullivan was one of the keys to Frankfurt’s championship season. Mahoungou proved that NFL experience, even if short, can translate into major success in European football.

Anthony Dablé-Wolf – Leipzig Kings

Anthony Dablé-Wolf is one of the pioneers of European football’s connection to the NFL and was one of the most anticiapted players to play in the ELF back in 2021. The French-German receiver made history when he signed with the New York Giants in 2016 and later joined the Atlanta Falcons. His journey inspired a generation of European athletes who dreamed of playing in the United States. In 2021, Dablé-Wolf returned to the field with the Leipzig Kings in the ELF’s inaugural season. Despite his veteran status, he remained a reliable target and a strong locker-room presence. His professionalism and experience helped set a standard for how European teams should approach the game with an American mindset.

Next to Dablé-Wolf, Mahoungou, Andersen and Edebali, the ELF also had a few other faces to join the league with NFL experience in its inaugural season:

• Giorgio Tavecchio (Barcelona Dragons): Former Raiders, Falcons, and 49ers kicker
• Darius Saint-Robinson (Wrocław Panthers): Former Buffalo Bills defensive back
• Seantavius Jones (Berlin Thunder): Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver
• Christopher Ezeala (Cologne Centurions): Former Baltimore Ravens fullback/linebacker

© Justin Derondeau / Rhein Fire