General 9/1/2022 9:57:00 AM Written By: Mara Allen

"You Work Hard For What You Want to Get": Former Green Bay Blizzard Kicker - Henry Nell

Kicker Henry Nell

Green Bay, WI - When one hears Henry Nell's story, they would think it was the script of the next Hollywood blockbuster sports movie, not real life. But indeed – though seemingly impossible – the former Green Bay Blizzard kicker's story is real, and nothing short of incredible.

Henry Nell kicking a field goal during the 2021 Green Bay Blizzard season (IFL)

Growing Up

Nell grew up in Pretoria, South Africa – the capital city of the country. At age five, he began playing rugby, which is when he says his passion for kicking began. By the time he began high school, he had been named "best in the province."

Upon graduating from high school at age 18, Nell played professional rugby. In September of 2016, a shoulder injury he suffered cost him a college rugby scholarship. Nell recalls going to bed angry that night.

However, he had a crazy dream. He was kicking – with a helmet and shoulder pads – in the United States.

What is especially crazy about this dream was that Nell had never seen American football before – he had never played it or watched it on TV. The next day, he Googled what he saw in his dream, and the search led him to realize that he was envisioning American football.

Turning dreams (literally) to reality

In June of 2017, Nell made a decision that would change his life forever. After battling numerous injuries from rugby, Nell told his teammates before a match that he was going to retire from the game he had played for over 14 years. The reason? To pursue becoming a professional football player in the United States.

"They all started laughing," Nell recalls. "So I knew the world was against me. I knew it might be a really long shot, but I was going to give it a try. "

Nell stuck to his word, and in 2018, he bought a plane ticket to the U.S. He landed in Florida, knowing only two people he had met online. He trained with Proform Kicking Academy owner and former NFL veteran Mike Hollis.

In Jacksonville, Nell had a workout with two arena teams. During these workouts he showed a lot of potential – coaches began to ask him where he played high school and college football, and for a look at his film.

At the age of 19, Nell played his first professional football game for the Main Mammoths of the National Arena League (NAL). As a rookie for the Mammoths, Nell broke the NAL record by making 12 field goals, with a long of 50-yards. He scored the first drop kick in league history, and made 11 deuces on his way to being named second-team All-NAL.

In 2019, he played in the AFL with the Baltimore Brigade and the IFL with the Cedar Rapids River Kings, experiencing success with both teams.

Nell continued to work hard and impress, and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Throughout the pandemic, Nell kept working out and honing his craft. Once the decision was made that the Blizzard would play for the 2021 season, Green Bay's coaching staff contacted Nell about joining the team.

Green Bay Blizzard - IFL

Blizzard OL/DL coach Dean Picotte coached Nell in 2018 during their time together in Maine. Through this connection and via social media, Head Coach Corey Roberson became aware of Nell, calling him "a very solid place kicker [in Maine]."

In 2021, Nell made his Blizzard debut during Green Bay's #DoOverSeason. Nell reflects fondly on his time in Titletown, thankful for the opportunity he was given and the people he met.

His favorite memory from his time with the Blizzard was the home game against Massachusetts. In only the second game of the season, Nell hit two long field goals. Then, he hit a deuce.

"In the IFL, I was the first guy to score a deuce since the rule was brought in. That's something I always cherish and carry with me. I am the first man to do this and no one can take that away."

And his historic performance didn't stop there; Nell executed his first successful onside kick of his career against the Pirates to set up the winning drive.

"We had a few seconds left in the game; we were down one score," said Nell. "I remember I hit an onside kick and Momodou [Mbye] went up and got the ball. The offense scored and we won that game."

Nell was named Special Teams Player of the Week following his memorable performance against the Pirates.

"Nothing was given. If I look back, there were a lot of people who doubted me," Nell said, reflecting on his success in Green Bay. "There were a lot of people who didn't have faith and trust in me to make this a reality. If I set my mind to something, you sure as hell bet I'm going to go get it."

Not only a consistent and reliable player, Nell was also well-respected by his Blizzard coaches and teammates. "Henry brought confidence and charisma from a position that sometimes doesn't get a lot of attention," Roberson said. "He made an impact on the team with his work ethic in the weight room as well as being a great teammate on and off the field."

Henry Nell 2021 Green Bay Blizzard introductions (IFL)

Saskatchewan Rough Riders - CFL

In April of 2021, the Canadian Football League (CFL) introduced a global draft – a draft for international players not from Canada or the United States.

Nell received a call from someone within Saskatchewan's player personnel department. However, he was focused on staying present and getting ready for the Blizzard's upcoming matchup.

Later, his wife called him and told him he was selected in the third round by the Saskatchewan
Rough Riders. His dream had become a reality.

Henry Nell warming up for the Saskatchewan Rough Riders (CFL)

Closing

Henry is now happily married to his wife. The two live together in Saskatchewan, where Nell is in his second season with the Roughriders.

When he reflects on his crazy journey that got him to where he is today, he is thankful for those who believed in him, especially Hollis and Wihan van der Riet, who has been coaching him for seven-plus years. "Without their knowledge and encouragement, none of this would've been possible," Nell said.

Nell reminds us that with hard work, dedication, and belief in yourself, anything is possible. "You work hard for what you want to get," Nell said. "Don't let anybody tell you no. The only person that can make it happen is yourself."

- Written By: Mara Allen

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"You Work Hard For What You Want to Get": Former Green Bay Blizzard Kicker - Henry Nell

Kicker Henry Nell

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