Several ELF veterans announce retirement after 2025 season

19.12.2025 23:00

The 2025 European League of Football season, which ended just 43 days ago with the Championship Game between the Vienna Vikings and Stuttgart Surge, has already seen several players officially announce their retirement. Below is an overview of some of the most notable names who have decided to hang up their cleats after remarkable careers in European football.

Reilly Hennessey - QB, Stuttgart Surge

Even before the Championship Game, it was clear that Reilly Hennessey was preparing for his final appearance. The veteran quarterback had already considered retirement after the 2024 season but was motivated to play one last year with the chance to win a title in his hometown of Stuttgart - a decision that paid off perfectly as he finished his career as an ELF Champion.

Alessandro Vergani - OG, Stuttgart Surge

Another key part of the Surge offense, Alessandro Vergani, will also retire after representing Italy at the IFAF Final Four. After more than 15 years in football, the Offensive Lineman of the Year nominee ends his career as a Champion and one of Europe’s most respected blockers.

Florian Lengauer - WR, Stuttgart Surge

At 28 years old, Florian Lengauer has also decided to call it a career. The wide receiver spent three seasons with the Surge, appearing in 36 games, catching 44 passes for 467 yards and six touchdowns, and now retires on the ultimate high - as an ELF Champion.

Watch the best touchdowns of the 2025 season here!

Simon Butsch - DE, Stuttgart Surge

Defensive end Simon Butsch joins his teammates in retiring at the top. After years of contributing to Stuttgart’s rise, Butsch leaves the game as a European Champion, capping off his career in the best possible way.

Roman Wahrheit - OT, Munich Ravens

Like Vergani, Roman Wahrheit will play one final tournament - the IFAF Final Four with Team Germany - before retiring. The towering offensive tackle was a dominant force in the Munich Ravens’ offensive line in 2025, earning a nomination for the Offensive Lineman of the Year Award.

Keanu Ebanks - OT, Frankfurt Galaxy

Veteran offensive tackle Keanu Ebanks has also announced his retirement. Known as one of the league’s most experienced journeymen, Ebanks played for the Hamburg Sea Devils, Paris Musketeers, Wroclaw Panthers, and most recently Frankfurt Galaxy, where he finished his career after years of top-level performance.

Patrick Poetsch - FB, Rhein Fire

Like Reilly Hennessey, Patrick Poetsch had already made it clear that the 2025 season would be his last. A true ELF veteran, Poetsch has been part of the league since its inaugural season in 2021, when he played for the ***Cologne Centurions ***before joining Rhein Fire. With Fire, he became a two-time ELF Champion in 2023 and 2024 and earned three First Team All-Star selections throughout his career.

A changing era in the ELF

With the retirements of Hennessey, Vergani, and other seasoned veterans, the European League of Football is saying goodbye to some of its most influential players - leaders who helped shape the league’s early years. While their departures mark the end of an era, their impact will be felt for years to come as a new generation of athletes steps up to continue growing the game across Europe.le here...