Bernhard Raimann was once inspired by an NFL game in London. Now he's the inspiration.
Story by
Bernhard Raimann was once inspired by an NFL game in London. Now he's the inspiration.
Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star·Indianapolis Star
·
3 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
WARE, England —Coltsleft tackleBernhard Raimannis one of the goals the NFL hopes to achieve by playing so many international games.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly said he'd like to get to the point where every NFL team is playing at least one game per year outside of United States borders, the chief aim of the initiative being to open up new fan bases and revenue streams for the most powerful sports league in the world.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
A player like Raimann is another benefit. Ten years ago, a young Raimann made the trip from Vienna to London with the rest of his Vienna Vikings teammates to watch their NFL namesake, the Minnesota Vikings, play the Steelers at London's iconic Wembley Stadium.
"Back then, I'd just started playing football," Raimann said. "We took this trip with the club team that I was playing for. Back then, I was a kid just getting into football, thought those guys on the field were freaking superheroes. It was an unbelievable experience. I thought me being live at an NFL game was the closest I would ever get to being those guys."
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts safety Camryn Bynum (0) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon walks the sideline Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Deion Burks (80) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen watches Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Simone Biles (left) kisses her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Chip Ganassi Racing driver Álex Palou watches from the sidelines Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) greets center Tanor Bortolini (60) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon signs an item for a fan Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) looks up at the stands Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Simone Biles (left) greets her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Kalen Jackson, Indianapolis Colts owner and chief brand officer, walks the sideline Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Simone Biles poses for a photo Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
The roof and windows are open Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts fans ‘The Clown’ poses for a photo on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Jacob Bardtmueller from New Haven watches from the stands on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
1/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
1/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
2/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
3/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts safety Camryn Bynum (0) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
4/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon walks the sideline Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
5/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Deion Burks (80) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
6/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen watches Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
7/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Simone Biles (left) kisses her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
8/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
9/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
10/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Chip Ganassi Racing driver Álex Palou watches from the sidelines Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
11/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) greets center Tanor Bortolini (60) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
12/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon signs an item for a fan Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
13/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) looks up at the stands Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
14/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Simone Biles (left) greets her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
15/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
16/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Kalen Jackson, Indianapolis Colts owner and chief brand officer, walks the sideline Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
17/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
18/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Simone Biles poses for a photo Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
19/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
The roof and windows are open Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
20/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts fans ‘The Clown’ poses for a photo on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
21/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
22/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
23/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
24/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Jacob Bardtmueller from New Haven watches from the stands on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
25/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
26/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Raimann is one of those guys now, a rising left tackle who becomes a major star every time theColtshead to Europe. The crowds in the United Kingdom don't follow Raimann with the rabid interest of the crowds the Colts drew in Germany, but for fans in those countries, a Colts trip to London is a much better chance to see one of their own play in the NFL than any game other than those in Frankfurt and Berlin.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
The big left tackle is now the superhero, inspiring a new generation of potential Raimanns by making it to the NFL as a coveted third-round pick, rather than a member of the NFL's International Player Pathway program, a long-shot chance for international athletes to prove themselves in the NFL.
"I really hope that some kid can see me, listen to my story or see what's possible," Raimann said. "Hopefully they can embrace their dreams, keep working every day and shoot, see what happens."
There have been some questions about Goodell's push for every team to play an international game.
Travel concerns grow every time the NFL opens a new international destination; the highly-favored Rams got blown out by San Francisco in Melbourne after making the ill-advised decision to fly late, rather than giving their players a week to adjust to jet lag. Ticket sales for Sunday's Colts-Commanders game have been tepid, stalling enough that the NFL reportedly lowered prices.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
But Raimann still believes there is something special about playing NFL games outside of the country.
"Having played games in the U.S. and then coming here, it's a different atmosphere," Raimann said. "It's so much fun. You see about every football jersey out there in the stands. The atmosphere is great, fans are into the game, fans are singing along to every song that comes on. It's so neat, and so special."
A spectacle still amazing enough to capture the imagination of the teenager Raimann was a decade ago.
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
