WIESBADEN, Germany - When most Soldiers take off their uniforms and call it a day, one 52nd Aviation Soldier changes his for one that lets him live out a childhood fantasy.
Spc. Kenny Colbert has been suiting up with the Wiesbaden Phantoms since 2008 and living his dream of playing football beyond high school in the top division in the German Football League.
"I'm actually playing against players who come straight out of college," said Colbert noting that many footballers do not compete on the gridiron after their high school career is done. "This is the highest level you can play at here in Germany."
Because it was recognized that the post's flag football league did not fulfill the Miami native's hunger for football competition, a friend turned Colbert on to a local German club that plays real football.
"If you're a real football fan you're looking for something a little more realistic," said Colbert, who added that it is like football in the United States comparable to a low division one school.
Albeit a little skeptical of what German football had to offer, Colbert tried out for the cornerback position with the team anyway.
"I thought it would be some kind of tricky rules," said Colbert recalling his thoughts before attending the team's first practice. "I thought it would be football, but I didn't think it would be ... like American football ... maybe something close to it but not actual football."
To his surprise he found a league similar to those back home.
"When you go out there and see hundred and sometimes thousands of fans ..., it excites you. It's just like Friday night again," said Colbert.
And while football was like second nature to Colbert, he learned immediately that his American heritage alone would not guarantee him success.
"I was getting eaten up the first three weeks. I was getting torched every time," he said admitting that he overestimated his skill level initially. "But the coach saw my potential and didn't give up on me.
"He understood from that first practice that he needed to work on his technique," said Mike Treber, defensive coordinator and former head coach for the Wiesbaden Phantoms.
After three seasons and a lot of work, Colbert is now known around the league by "phans" as the Receiver Eater as he has only allowed one touchdown in that time.
"He's really dedicated to the team. He has a lot of speed. He can cover receivers one-to-one," said Treber, listing several qualities observed in the Miami-born footballer.
And while it may only be football to some, to Colbert it's a whole lot more.
"They brought me in and showed me a lot of things. ... We are very close friends. We feel like brothers playing together ... and we are like 'phamily,'" he said mentioning various things he and teammates do off the field to keep cohesion.
That dedication to the team is what Treber likes most. "We are a 'phamily' and Kenny understood that immediately. You stand in for one another on and off the field."
Since joining the club Colbert has made a great effort to stay caught up with the happenings of the team.
"Anything that deals with the team, I try to involve myself, even though it is on a volunteer basis," he said mentioning that he has been in parades and on German radio along with his team. "It motivates me. I have no problem extending my career out here or maybe even getting out and staying here in Germany."
Because being a part of the team gives Colbert access to a different world, he encourages others to get active with local teams.
"It gives me a different insight on things," he said. "There's a lot more here to do than you would believe."
Colbert and the team look forward to the sport growing in Wiesbaden and urge U.S. football fans to go out and cheer on the team at home games played right across the street from the Hainerberg Shopping Center at Helmut-SchAfAPn-Sportpark. "Come out and see how he and the Phantoms are playing," said Treber.
Potential players are also encouraged to try out for the team. "It's always great to find someone who has played," said Treber, who added that though it is too late to try out because the season has started, interested individuals can still contact the team to set something up.
Visit the team website at www.wiesbaden-phantoms.de for a schedule of games and other club information.
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