Thomas Fileccia was introduced as a new signing to the Polish franchise in early December. Now Foot Bowl had the chance to ask the Panthers‘ new offensive tackle some questions.
Foot Bowl:
How did you get into football and in which teams have you played so far?
Thomas Fileccia:
I started playing football in 2017 in the junior team of the Blue Stars Marseille. I was 17 years old and it was during the summer. I was playing Madden on PlayStation and I took my phone and searched for a football team in France. I found Blue Stars Marseille, which was very close to my parents. After that I played for Lohja Crusaders and Kuopio Steelers in Finland, Berlin Rebels and now I’m on my way to play for the Panthers.
Foot Bowl:
You played fot the Kuopio Steelers in 2020, on a team with many talented players. Many of them will compete in the 2022 ELF season. Which former teammate are you most looking forward to?
Fileccia:
I can’t wait to meet my big brother Semmie Radji again as a teammate. He taught me a lot in Kuopio when I played against him in training.
Foot Bowl:
Is it true that Frankfurt Galaxy offensive tackle Basil Weber once created the strength and conditioning plan for you? Can you tell us about this connection?
Fileccia:
Yes, that’s true. I was on my way to sign with the Black Panthers de Thonon and the personal trainer there is a PAC athlete and he sends a program for the players. For some reason I didn’t sign with Thonon, but I kept working with him and he told me to contact Basil to get a workout and he helped me during my season in Kuopio. he was my personal trainer!
Foot Bowl:
For the 2022 ELF season you signed with the Panthers Wrocław. Why did you choose the Panthers?
Fileccia:
The reason I chose the Panthers is because I heard about them in this league. They are one of the best organizations in Europe and they take care of their players. I have talked to many Panthers players and all the players speak very highly of them! I can’t wait to go there!
Foot Bowl:
What needs to happen in the 2022 ELF season for you to be happy with your year with the Panthers?
Fileccia:
For 2k22 all Panthers have the same goal: to become ELF champions! We are really hungry to get it together! My personal goal is to become an All Star OL and get into the NFL International Pathway Program!
Foot Bowl:
You currently play for your home team, the Marseille Blue Stars. When will you move to Wrocław?
Fileccia:
Yes, I’m in Marseille right now playing some games with them before moving to Wroclaw. We have to wait and see when the team can bring the imports at the end of April.
Foot Bowl:
Thank you very much!
Deutsch
Der 22-jährige Franzose Thomas Fileccia war Anfang Dezember als Neuzugang des polnischen Franchise vorgestellt worden. Nun hatte Foot Bowl die Möglichkeit, dem neuen Offensive Tackle der Panthers Wrocław einige Fragen zu stellen, um ihn euch vorstellen zu können.
Fileccia begann 2017 in der Jugend der Marseille Blue Stars mit dem American Football, nachdem er zuvor auf der PlayStation Madden spielte und so seine Begeisterung für den Sport fand. Weitere Stationen in seiner Karriere waren die Lohja Crusaders und die Kuopio Steelers in Finnland sowie die Berlin Rebels in der GFL. Mit den Steeler wurde er 2020 unter anderem an der Seite von heutigen ELF-Spielern wie AJ Wentland, Lane Acheampong, Kadel King oder Iiro Pekkarinen finnischer Meister. Ein weiterer Teamkollege war der Niederländer Semmie Radji, mit dem er nun in Breslau erneut gemeinsam spielen wird. Auf Radji freut sich Fileccia ganz besonders, da dieser ihn im Training ans Limit brachte und Fileccia so einiges vom Defensive End lernen konnte. Der 1,90 Meter große Athlet entschied sich für die Panthers, weil er bisher nur positives über diese professionelle Organisation gehört hat. Er möchte von den besten Coaches trainiert werden. Mit den Panthers strebt er den gewinn der ELF-Meisterschaft an. Persönlich möchte er es ins All-Star Team schaffen sowie zum NFL International Combine eingeladen werden.