The inaugural IFAF Junior World Championship has brought together the best American football players aged 19 and under from around the world to Fawcett Stadium adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.  As the eight participating countries from four continents strive for the gold medal, there has been a wealth of impressive individual performances. 

 

One player who has definitely been turning some heads is German defensive end Bjoern Werner.

 

The Berlin native is a quarterback’s worst nightmare.  He stands at 6 feet 5 and weighs in at 258 pounds with the added threat of great mobility giving him the power to penetrate his opponent’s offense with frightening regularity.  Team Japan soon felt his presence in the first round of the JWC when they faced Germany on June 27.  

 

During the closely fought game, Werner continuously pressured the Japanese quarterbacks, holding the team scoreless throughout the first half.  Ultimately, Japan defeated Germany 10-7, but Werner produced a stellar performance and produced two sacks for a combined loss of 13 yards and had two pass break-ups along with five solo tackles.  His defensive dominance earned Werner his team MVP award for the game.

 

“It is so exciting to be here,” said Werner. “I am so proud to play here and to play for Germany in Canton.  We will show the world that we can play football.”

 

Of course there is also the added bonus of playing the tournament games at Fawcett Stadium – the field that hosts the annual NFL Hall of Fame game.

 

“The stadium is awesome,” said Werner.  “I love playing on the turf field.”

 

Like many Germans, Werner began his athletic career playing soccer, but once he was introduced to American football has was hooked and has since developed an impressive resume of accomplishments within the sport.  Besides being selected for the German Junior National team, he was also a major contributor on his hometown Berlin Adler junior team that won the 2008 German national championship.

 

For the majority of players competing in the IFAF Junior World Championship, this is their first opportunity to play American football in the United States.  But Werner made the trip across the Atlantic Ocean two years ago when in 2007 he spent a year at the Salisbury School, a preparatory school in Salisbury, Connecticut. 

 

Werner played for the Salisbury Crimson Knights as a member of the USA Football International Student Program (ISP) that gives top student-athletes from around the world the opportunity to play football and study at top prep schools in the United States.

 

Werner literally stood head and shoulders above many of his opponents and as a sophomore earned rave reviews that in turn led to a flurry of interest from Division I colleges in the United States, all eager to begin recruiting the spot-spoken German who is affectionately known as ‘The Bear’. 

 

Despite the clamor to witness his obvious talents, Werner chose to return home to play in Germany in 2008, but will again play at the Salisbury School this fall as a senior, giving an ever-increasing number of US college recruiters an opportunity to see the dominating defensive end in action.

 

The versatile Werner, in addition to his defensive duties and lining up as a fullback for Germany, also handles the team’s punting duties.  In his nation’s opening game of the IFAF Junior World Championship against Japan, he impressively punted for a total of 283 yards on seven punts for an average of 40 yards.  He also had two kickoffs for 114 yards.

 

“Punting is not something new for me,” explained Werner.  “I also punt for my club team Berlin Adler in Germany.”

 

With his many facets as a football player, Bjorn Werner has developed into a force to be reckoned with whenever he steps onto the field.  He now holds the distinction of winning the first-ever IFAF.org Player of the Month.