Shake & bake: Bernhard Seikovits taking in US culture, Cardinals coaching

GLENDALE — Arizona Cardinals tight end Bernhard Seikovits has had to learn much more than just the ins and outs of being an NFL player this offseason.

Hailing from Austria, Seikovits is one of 14 international players on NFL rosters through the International Players Pathway Program.

While some of his other teammates made their way across the country for training camp, Seikovits came from another continent, meaning there’s quite a few things to get used to.

That includes stuff most NFL players don’t have to think about, like getting a social security card and a bank account set up, which Arizona took care of.

There’s also the American culture and cuisine to get accustomed to. Luckily for the Austrian, fellow tight end Maxx Williams is providing some useful material for Seikovits to absorb.

“It’s a completely different culture over here and it’s really interesting to learn how people live their life over here. The jokes are a little bit different, the humor’s different.

“[Williams] told me this weekend he’s gonna give me a movie, make me watch a movie that is supposed to be super iconic over here. … He’s gonna make me take notes and stuff so I’m going to learn.”

Bernhard Seikovits said Maxx Williams has given him a “super iconic” movie from the states to watch but couldn’t remember the name.

My guesses are Forrest Gump, Step Brothers, Talladega Nights or Friday: pic.twitter.com/i8rINesjb5

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 18, 2021

After further digging and an assist from Williams on Twitter, the film is none other than NASCAR-inspired “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.” Couldn’t get more American than that, shake and back and all.

Getting engrained in his surroundings is certainly up high on Seikovits’ to-do list, yet it’s nowhere near cracking Arizona’s active roster.

“Of course the [53-man roster] is the goal,” Seikovits said. “I’m not striving for a lower goal, I’m not lowering the standards just because I know it’s going to be hard.

“I’m striving for the ultimate goal every day and if I come short that can happen, but I’m giving my all and my intention is to make the roster.”

Bernhard Seikovits on his ultimate goal of making the 53-man roster: pic.twitter.com/NJCtNPn6db

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 18, 2021

Of the things he has improved on since joining the team, blocking and footwork are at the forefront.

It’s all becoming much more natural, the tight end said.

“He’s doing well, he’s very smart, very conscientious, works hard. Athletically, he’s talented,” Kingsbury said. “This is a completely different level, obviously, the speed of the game and all those things are coming along. I’m anxious to see his development throughout the year and he’ll certainly serve a purpose on this team.”

Friday marked another milestone for Seikovits, who experienced his first taste of live NFL action in the team’s 19-16 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

The tight end was on the field for four offensive snaps (6%) and 12 special teams snaps (46%).

He was seen after the game soaking in the emotional moment with fellow international player and Cowboy Issac Alarcon, someone Seikovits trained with for two months through the IPP.

Everyone walks a different path.

Savor the moment 🙌@IsaacAlarcon | #HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/MmaCudFX8c

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) August 18, 2021

“Even though we never played with each other, I think it’s just uniting if you’re kinda fighting for the rest of the world to be recognized as football players, too, because the only real place you play football is from the U.S.A,” Seikovits said. “We from the IPP, we feel like we have to represent the rest of the world.”

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