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Falcons Kicker's Berlin Roots Fuel NFL's Historic Game
9 Nov
Summary
- Falcons coach shows team video of Jesse Owens' 1936 Olympic triumph
- Kicker Lenny Krieg, a Berlin native, has attended 50+ games at Olympic Stadium
- Kicker Zane Gonzalez's favorite player, Zinedine Zidane, played final match at stadium
On Sunday, November 12th, 2025, the Atlanta Falcons will face off against the Indianapolis Colts in a historic NFL regular-season game at Berlin's Olympic Stadium. This marks the first time the league has held a game at the iconic venue, which is best known for hosting the 1936 Olympics where Jesse Owens won four gold medals in front of Adolf Hitler.
Ahead of the matchup, Falcons coach Raheem Morris plans to show his team a video of Owens' legendary performance, reminding them of the stadium's rich history. "It's crazy when you think you're going to be in that same exact stadium. It's just an honor to come here and play," Morris said.
The Falcons have a unique connection to the Olympic Stadium beyond its historical significance. Practice-squad kicker Lenny Krieg is a Berlin native who has attended over 50 professional soccer matches at the venue. Krieg, who joined the Falcons through the NFL's International Player Pathway program, expects to have nearly 300 family and friends in attendance on Sunday.
Atlanta's new kicker, Zane Gonzalez, also has personal ties to the stadium. His favorite player, France's Zinedine Zidane, played his final professional match there during the 2006 World Cup final. Gonzalez, who travels to Europe annually to watch soccer, believes his familiarity with the stadium's slick playing surface could give him an advantage this weekend.
