Berlin-raised American football player Brandon Coleman was selected by the Washington Commanders in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday evening.
The offensive tackle was born in Virginia, but spent most of his childhood in Berlin before returning to the United States in 2016. He started playing football in high school in Texas.
Coleman enjoyed his best time in college football playing for the Texas Christian University (TCU), helping the programme reach the college football play-offs in the 2022 season. TCU made it to the final, but were thrashed 65-7 by Georgia.
"I'm speechless and shocked, that was a big surprise," he told German broadcasters RTL.
"The coaches and players that I've already met are super cool. I'm happy to have landed in Washington," he said. As an offensive tackle, he has the main task of protecting the quarterback and physically preventing defenders from disrupting the offensive ball carrier.
The Commanders also drafted quarterback Jayden Daniels in the first round with their second overall pick. Daniels is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, the most prestigious individual award in US college football.