HOUSTON — Michael Badejo was always confident in his talent and ability to become an NFL player. His journey to the pinnacle of professional football was not denied, only delayed.
“I took advantage of the opportunity and left home. I'm far away from home now,” Badejo said. “Miles away from home, I'm going on this journey to come out here and perfect my craft. I'm going to prepare this film and send it to other coaches in these top leagues. 'Who's going to take it?' I have a chance. ”
Badejo earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas Southern University while serving as a defensive star on the football team. Currently, he is his end of defense for the Dresden Monarchs of the German Football League (GFL). How did he get there?
Michael shares his incredible journey from HBCU football to playing professionally in Germany. “I love to travel, it's an adventure,” Badejo said. “When you come out here and you see American football still being played and being brought out here and you see the players moving around the field, you think they can go to America and compete. I think he has the ability.”
In the first game, Badejo had three sacks, two TFLs, and five tackles for loss. After his performance in Week 1, he led the GFL in sacks and was fifth in total tackles. Michael explained how he gained an advantage through his film work. “You love the game, you're passionate about the game. You watch the movie. You break down the movie and that allows you to know exactly what the players are going to do,” he said. I'm turning the film dial down. ”
He encourages young football players from HBCUs to persevere and pursue their dreams even if they don't get drafted or invited to rookie minicamp. “You just have to keep pushing. Like I said, you love the game, you love all of your efforts in college, you envision yourself playing at the next level, so you You just have to keep going.'' He continued, “In the NFL, when you don't get that opportunity, it sucks. You just have to keep pushing.''
The Dresden Monarchs are an American football team based in Dresden, Germany that has played in the German Football League (GFL) Northern Division since 2002.
In 2021, they won the German Bowl XLII and became GFL Champions. The club colors are navy blue and gold and the address is Bärnsdorfer Straße 2.
On Saturday at 3pm German time, the Monarchs will face the New York Lions at the Rudolf Harbig Stadium in Dresden.
