Bernhard Raimann: From Wembley fan watching NFL ‘superheroes’ to Colts starter ahead of London game

Bernhard Raimann, an Austria native, was a young football enthusiast when he watched the Minnesota Vikings play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Wembley Stadium in 2013. At the time, he was only a teenager, and he described the players as "superheroes." Now, Raimann is a starter for the Indianapolis Colts, facing off against the Washington Commanders in London.

Raimann, now 29, joined the Vienna Vikings as a wide receiver and later played tight end at Central Michigan before being drafted by the Colts in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. He expressed his thoughts on the Wembley trip, saying it was "an unbelievable experience... I thought me being live at an NFL game was the closest I'll ever get to being (like) those guys." Raimann believes it is now special for him to play in London, knowing the significance it holds for the city's fans.

The Colts will be without Jayden Daniels due to an elbow injury, making Marcus Mariota the starter for the second consecutive game. Head coach Shane Steichen praised Mariota, noting his mobility, playmaking ability in the pocket, and strong rush lanes. Mariota recently threw three touchdown passes against the Seattle Seahawks.

Meanwhile, Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor starred in the team's 31-25 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin last year, running for 244 yards and 3 touchdowns. Taylor expressed his excitement about playing overseas, stating that it's an opportunity to share the game he loves with fans across the world. He also mentioned that he enjoyed playing in Germany last year, where he had a memorable 83-yard touchdown run at Olympic Stadium.

As for celebrations, Cam Bynum remains tight-lipped about his post-interception celebrations with teammates. While he enjoyed creating unique celebrations during his time with the Vikings, including the "Parent Trap" handshake celebration, he doesn't offer any clues about what he might have in store for London.