Rhein Fire

Rhein Fire
Based in	Düsseldorf, Germany
Stadium	Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena
Established	2022
Division	Western Conference
Colors	Burgundy red, Black, Gold, White    
Website	https://www.rheinfire.eu/

Uniform of the Rhein Fire football team in 2023.

The Rhein Fire are an American football team based in Düsseldorf, Germany, that plays in the European League of Football (ELF) since 2022.

History

The team was unveiled on September 25, 2021 as one of the new franchises for the ELF's second season. The franchise was able to adopt the name of the former team in NFL Europe (1994 to 2007) due to a March 2020 agreement between the ELF and the NFL.

The operator of Rhein Fire is Number One Sportbetriebs GmbH. Its founding shareholders are Martin Wagner, Rene Engel, and Dirk Reiner; other shareholders are Ottogerd Karasch, David Wallen, and Daniel Thywissen. The team started into it's first season with general manager Patricia Klemm and Head Coach Jim Tomsula, who was also head coach of the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe in 2006. Rhein Fire plays in the Schauinsland-Reisen Arena in Duisburg.

2022 Season

Rhein Fire played their first game on June 5, 2022 against the reigning ELF champions Frankfurt Galaxy. In front of a record crowd of 7525 spectators, Rhein Fire won the rematch of the German derby from the NFL Europe days with 29:26. In the first home game on June 19, 2022 against the Istanbul Rams, Fire set a spectator record itself with 7895 spectators and won the third game in a row. The first loss came on June 26, 2022 at home against the Barcelona Dragons. Besides the Dragons, the Hamburg Sea Devils were to be the only ones that Rhein Fire lost to twice in the 2022 season. Rhein Fire still stayed in the playoff race with a 23-21 win at home against the Galaxy on August 21, 2022, setting another regular-season attendance record with 12,055 spectators. However, with the Dragons failing to slip up again, Rhein Fire finished second in the Southern Conference behind Barcelona and narrowly missed the playoffs.

Patricia Klemm stepped down from her position as general manager in October 2022. Tom Aust became the new general manager.

2023 Season

Due to the restructuring of the conferences for the 2023 season, Rhein Fire now play in the Western Conference

In October 2022, Tom Aust replaced the previous GM Klemm. Jim Tomsula was extended as Head Coach for the 2023 season. He was supported by former Barcelona Dragons Head Coach Andrew Weidinger as Offensive Coordinator (OC).

Important players were also signed, such as Anthony Mahoungou, Glen Toonga, Alejandro Fernández and Flamur Simon. At the same time, important players such as Jadrian Clark, Nathaniel Robitaille and Martin Pinter were retained. After Nathaniel Robitaille was injured after just a few games, William Patterson was re-signed.

After going 12-0 without defeat in the regular season, the team beat the Frankfurt Galaxy 42:23 in the semi-final at home. This perfect season was crowned with a 53:34 victory in the final against Stuttgart Surge, making Rhein Fire champions of the European League of Football 2023.

Düsseldorf's Mayor Stephan Keller welcomed the team, helpers, cheerleaders and owners to City Hall on September 28, 2023. At the reception, those present signed the City of Düsseldorf's Golden Book. The team celebrated with their fans on the Düsseldorf City Hall balcony.

2024 Season

One day after the Championship Game, Rhein Fire announced the appointment of Max Paatz as the new General Manager. Paatz previously held the same position for the Hamburg Sea Devils. In October, the contracts of head coach Tomsula, OC Weidinger and DC Richard Kent were each extended by one year. Tomsula will also hold the title of 'President' in the future, which makes him, along with General Manager Max Paatz, one of the main people responsible for the further development of the franchise.

Stadium

The homefield of Rhein Fire is the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena in Duisburg, Germany which offers a capacity of 31,500 seats.

The 2023 finals, the ELF Championship Game, to be held at the arena on September 24 of that year.

Players

Top Players

Quarterback	Year	G	COMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	TD	INT	SCK
Jadrian Clark	2022-23	18	362	555	65.2	5704	76	12	25

Receiver	Year	G	RRC	TGT	YDS	CTCH %	YPG	YPC	LNG	TD	TD/G
Nathaniel Robitaille	2022-23	16	87	129	1670	67.4	104.4	19.2	77	18	1.1
Harlan Kwofie	2022-23	21	87	140	1514	62.1	72.1	17.4	65	19	0.9
Anthony Mahoungou	2023	10	60	91	984	65.9	98.4	16.4	50	11	1.1
Timothy Knuettel	2022	11	57	75	688	76.0	62.5	12.1	46	7	0.6
William Patterson	2023	6	30	36	506	83.3	84.3	16.9	54	6	1.0

Running	Year	G	ATT	YDS	AVG	YPG	LNG	TD	TD/G	FMB	FML
Glen Toonga	2023	8	128	926	7.2	115.8	43	9	1.1	1	0
Daniel Rennich	2022-23	19	171	693	4.1	36.5	39	2	0.1	2	2

2024 Roster

2024 Rhein Fire roster

	Quarterbacks 12 Rohat Dagdelen 🇩🇪 16 Jan Leuker QB 18 Jadrian Clark 🇺🇸 Running backs  6 Sergej Kendus 🇩🇪 15 Giacomo De Pauli 🇩🇪 17 Glen Toonga 🇬🇧  28 TJ Alexander 🇩🇪 42 Jeton Novoberdalija FB xᴋ ʜɢ 43 Patrick Poetsch FB 🇩🇪 Wide receivers  1 Sebastian Sagne 🇫🇮   5 Maximilian Siemssen 🇩🇪  8 Justin Schlesinger 🇩🇪 10 Harlan Kwofie 🇩🇪 13 Kelvin McKnight Jr. 🇺🇸 19 Bryan Winter 🇩🇪 88 Onuora Joseman 🇬🇧 ʜɢ 89 Leon Höltker WR 🇩🇪 Tight ends 82 Laurin Wiegand 🇩🇪 83 Christopher Mielke 🇩🇪 85 Tim Sauerland 🇩🇪 87 Florian Eichhorn 🇩🇪		Offensive linemen 54 Marcin Pludra 🇩🇪 60 Kevin Foitzik C 🇩🇪 66 Arnoud Holierhoek 🇳🇱  68 Nick Wiens G 🇩🇪 69 David Weinstock 🇩🇪 74 Jasper Friis 🇩🇪 76 Jonathan Peppler 🇩🇪 77 Sven Breidenbach T 🇩🇪 78 Yasir Raji 🇩🇪 Defensive linemen 50 Saliou Sale 🇫🇷  57 Mustafa Hausmann 🇩🇪 90 Remy Feltes 🇩🇪 91 Aaron Donkor 🇩🇪 93 Chiemezie Udeaja 🇩🇪 94 Justus Sleiman 🇩🇪 95 Jahn Jesus Lara Perez DE 🇨🇺 ʜɢ 97 Jason Chikere 🇩🇪 98 Max Parkinson 🇬🇧  99 Hugo Klages DT 🇩🇪		Linebackers  3 Lennart Weitz 🇩🇪 31 Flamur Simon 🇩🇪 44 Marius Kensy 🇩🇪 45 Martin Pinter OLB 🇫🇷 ʜɢ 47 Janek Wenke 🇩🇪 49 Tim Steins 🇩🇪 53 Noah Schmitz 🇩🇪 73 Matthias Stockamp 🇩🇪 Defensive backs  0 Tony Anderson S 🇫🇷   2 Omari Williams S 🇺🇸  4 Jannik Seibel 🇩🇪  7 Till Janssen 🇩🇪  9 Darrius Nash 🇺🇸 21 René Hanßen 🇩🇪 22 Vincent Woywod 🇩🇪 23 Vincent Bujalla CB 🇩🇪 24 Rabbi Junior S 🇩🇪 27 Max Richter 🇩🇪 29 Lenard Barth 🇩🇪 Special teams 14 Maximilian Eisenhut P 🇩🇪 33 Sebastian van Santen K 🇩🇪				Reserve lists 14 Ramin Akhlaghi 🇩🇪 Rookies in italics Roster updated May 16, 2024 4 A-import, 6 E-import, 51 homegrown 61 active, 0 inactive, 0 practice squad

2023 Roster

2023 Rhein Fire roster

	Quarterbacks 12 Rohat Dagdelen {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 18 Jadrian Clark {{{4}}} 🇺🇸 Running backs  6 Sergej Kendus {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 15 Giacomo De Pauli {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 17 Glen Toonga {{{4}}} 🇬🇧 28 TJ Alexander {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 43 Patrick Poetsch FB {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 Wide receivers  1 Anthony Mahoungou {{{4}}} 🇫🇷  8 Justin Schlesinger {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 10 Harlan Kwofie {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 13 Jannik Lörcks {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 19 Achim Bah {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 81 Leon Kusterer {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 86 Nathaniel Robitaille WR {{{4}}} 🇺🇸 89 Jakob Neugebauer {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 Tight ends 85 Tim Sauerland {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 87 Florian Eichhorn {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 88 Marvin Pludra {{{4}}} 🇩🇪		Offensive linemen 66 Arnoud Holierhoek {{{4}}} 🇳🇱 68 Nick Wiens G {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 71 Leander Wiegand {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 74 Jan-Hendrik Koch {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 75 Joachim Christensen {{{4}}} 🇩🇰 76 Jonathan Peppler {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 77 Sven Breidenbach T {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 78 Yasir Raji {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 Defensive linemen  3 Simon Gavanda {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 90 Remy Feltes {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 92 Eric Adam {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 93 Julian Völker {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 94 Justus Sleiman {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 96 Samuel Kargel {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 97 Jason Chikere {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 99 Shamgar Owusu-Ankomah {{{4}}} 🇩🇪		Linebackers 31 Flamur Simon {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 41 Alexander Sobotta ILB {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 42 Brian Snoek {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 44 Marius Kensy {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 47 Niels Schroedter {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 54 Maximilian Schmidt OLB {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 55 Luis Fiedler OLB {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 Defensive backs  2 Omari Williams S {{{4}}} 🇺🇸  4 Jannik Seibel {{{4}}} 🇩🇪  5 Benjamin Barnes {{{4}}} 🇩🇪  7 Till Janssen {{{4}}} 🇩🇪  9 Richard Grooten S {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 21 René Hanßen {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 24 Koi Freeman {{{4}}} 🇺🇸 25 Lasse Meyer CB {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 27 Max Richter {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 38 Marvin Djomou Djopa {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 Special teams 33 Sebastian van Santen K {{{4}}} 🇩🇪				Reserve lists 11 Alejandro Fernandez Nieto {{{4}}} 🇪🇸 84 Willie Patterson {{{4}}} 🇺🇸 22 TJ Morrison CB {{{4}}} 🇺🇸 26 Lino Schroeter OLB {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 45 Martin Pinter OLB {{{4}}} 🇫🇷 HG 20 Philipp Stegmann CB {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 14 Maximilian Eisenhut P {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 40 Tobias Reglinski RB {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 Practice squad 82 Laurin Wiegand TE {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 60 Kevin Foitzik C {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 62 Marius Mohr C {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 34 Noah Kölling RB {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 16 Jan Leuker QB {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 80 Noah Gehring WR {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 29 Leon Höltker WR {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 79 Bemigho Eyimofe OT {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 30 Nils Schauerte P {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 83 Christopher Mielke {{{4}}} 🇩🇪 36 Sofyan Dardour {{{4}}} 🇳🇱 Rookies in italics Roster updated 18 August 2023 4 A-import, 6 E-import, 43 homegrown 53 active, 12 practice squad

Total record

	Games	Win	Loss	Win %	P+	P-	PDiff
Rhein Fire	26	21	5	0.808	981	570	+411

Record per oppenent

	Games	Win	Loss	Win %	P+	P-	PDiff
Cologne Centurions	4	4	0	1.000	180	43	+137
Helvetic Guards	2	2	0	1.000	94	17	+77
Frankfurt Galaxy	5	5	0	1.000	175	117	+58
Munich Ravens	2	2	0	1.000	99	48	+51
Istanbul Rams	2	2	0	1.000	92	44	+48
Paris Musketeers	2	2	0	1.000	95	53	+42
Stuttgart Surge	1	1	0	1.000	53	34	+19
Leipzig Kings	2	1	1	0.500	59	51	+8
Hamburg Sea Devils	4	2	2	0.500	98	113	-15
Barcelona Dragons	2	0	2	0.000	36	50	-14

Source: https://elfdata.eu/

Staff

Head Coaches

Name	Tenure	Record			Titles
		W	L	T
Jim Tomsula	2022-present	21	5	0	1

2024 Staff

2024 Rhein Fire staff

	Front office CEO – Martin Wagner General manager – Max Paatz President of football operations – Jim Tomsula Director of administration - Detlef Reck Director of operation & logistics - Mario Schulz Director of player personnel – Timur Beckmann Chief of staff - Frank Joachim Cheer & Dance director – Nini Wagner Head coach Head coach – Jim Tomsula Assistant head coach – Detlef Reck Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Andrew Weidinger Quarterbacks – John Shoop Running backs – Thorsten Estermann Tight ends – Timur Beckmann Offensive line – Erol Seval Assistant offensive line –			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Richard Kent Defensive backs – Stephan Schacht Assistant defensive backs – Linebacker – Patrick Köpper Assistant linebacker – Defensive line – Christian Heister Edge Rushers Coach – Claus Biedermann Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator/Wide receivers – Mario Schulz Staff updated March 11, 2023