Bernhard Seikovits Bio
Bernhard “Seiko” Seikovits, born on July 24, 1997, in Vienna, Austria, is an Austrian professional football tight end who has built a career across European and American football. He first rose to prominence with the Vienna Vikings of the Austrian Football League before joining the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. Standing 196 centimeters tall, Seikovits has used his size and athleticism to develop into one of the most recognizable Austrian players in the American game.
Early Life and Background
Bernhard Seikovits was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, where he was introduced to American football at a young age through local youth programs. He began playing for the Vienna Vikings junior teams when he was ten years old, developing his fundamentals in one of Austria’s most established football organizations. The Vienna Vikings program provided him with consistent coaching and competitive playing opportunities throughout his formative years.
Growing up in a country where American football occupies a niche position among major sports, Seikovits demonstrated an early commitment to the sport that set him apart from many of his peers. His progression through the Vikings’ youth system allowed him to refine his skills as a receiver and develop an understanding of the game’s tactical demands. This early foundation proved essential as he transitioned toward higher levels of competition in Europe.
Path to American Football
Seikovits joined the Vienna Vikings senior team in the Austrian Football League in 2017, where he quickly established himself as one of the top receivers in the league. His size, hands, and route-running ability made him a difficult matchup for opposing defensive backs in the Austrian top flight. Over four seasons with the Vikings, he became a centerpiece of the team’s offense and gained recognition beyond Austria’s borders.
Beyond his club career, Seikovits represented Austria at the international level, serving as captain of the Austria national American football team. He also played quarterback for Austria’s Under-19 national team, winning two European Championships in that role. These international experiences showcased his versatility and football intelligence, traits that would later draw the attention of NFL scouts evaluating prospects through the International Player Pathway Program.
Bernhard Seikovits Career
Early Career (2017-2020)
Seikovits began his senior career with the Vienna Vikings in 2017, joining the Austrian Football League roster as a young receiver transitioning from the junior program. Over the next four seasons, he developed into one of the league’s premier pass-catchers, earning recognition as a top receiving threat in Austrian football. His performance at the club level, combined with his leadership of the Austrian national team, helped establish his reputation as one of Europe’s most promising American football talents.
During this period, Seikovits also gained valuable international experience as quarterback for Austria’s Under-19 team, where he won two European Championships. His ability to play multiple positions highlighted his football IQ and athletic versatility, qualities that would later prove valuable in his transition to the NFL.
Arizona Cardinals Breakthrough (2021-Present)
Bernhard Seikovits was assigned to the Arizona Cardinals through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, joining the team in training camp with the opportunity to earn a practice squad spot via the program’s exemption. He was waived on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. On January 19, 2022, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Cardinals, securing his place in the organization for the following season.
In the 2022 pre-season, Seikovits showed improvement at the NFL level, recording four receptions for 26 yards. He was waived on August 30, 2022, and again re-signed to the practice squad the next day before signing a reserve/future contract on January 11, 2023. The following year followed a similar pattern, as he was released on August 29, 2023, and brought back to the practice squad, later signing a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.
Seikovits continued his tenure with the Cardinals into 2024, when he was waived on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad. He signed another reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025, extending his stay with the organization. On April 29, 2025, Seikovits was released by the Cardinals, marking a new chapter in his professional career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Seikovits is known for his combination of size and receiving skill, standing 196 centimeters tall and weighing approximately 119 kilograms. His physical frame makes him a natural fit for the tight end position, where he can compete against larger defensive players while still functioning as a reliable pass-catching target. Coaches have praised his work ethic and his ability to absorb the complexities of an NFL playbook despite coming from a smaller football market.
Notable Events and Milestones
Seikovits’s selection for the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program stands as one of the most significant milestones in his career, representing the first time an Austrian-developed tight end reached the NFL ranks. His two European Championships with Austria’s Under-19 team and his captaincy of the senior national team also stand out as defining achievements in his European career.
Bernhard Seikovits Career Wins
Bernhard Seikovits’s career wins span both European and American football. At the youth international level, he won two European Championships as quarterback for Austria’s Under-19 team. In the Austrian Football League, he was recognized as one of the top receivers during his four seasons with the Vienna Vikings from 2017 to 2020.
Austrian Football League Highlights
During his time with the Vienna Vikings from 2017 to 2020, Seikovits established himself as one of the top receivers in the Austrian Football League. His contributions helped the Vikings remain competitive in one of Europe’s longstanding American football competitions. Specific game-by-game statistics and win totals from this period are not fully documented in available sources.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his club accomplishments, Seikovits captained the Austria national American football team and contributed to two European Championship titles at the Under-19 level as a quarterback. These achievements underscored his leadership qualities and his importance to the development of American football in Austria.
Bernhard Seikovits Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Bernhard Seikovits’s parents and family background is limited. His upbringing in Vienna and his introduction to American football through the Vienna Vikings youth program at age ten suggest a supportive family environment that encouraged his athletic development from a young age.
Personal Life
Details about Bernhard Seikovits’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly documented in available sources. He continues to be represented publicly through his social media presence under his well-known nickname “Seiko.”
2025 Season Performance
Bernhard Seikovits began 2025 with the Arizona Cardinals, having signed a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025, that kept him in the organization. His status with the team changed on April 29, 2025, when he was released by the Cardinals, ending his tenure with the franchise that had developed him through the International Player Pathway Program.
Throughout his time with Arizona, Seikovits remained primarily a practice squad contributor, showcasing his development during pre-season opportunities, including his 2022 pre-season performance of four receptions for 26 yards. His journey from Austrian Football League standout to NFL practice squad member represents the pathway that the International Player Pathway Program was designed to create.
Following his April 2025 release, Seikovits’s next career move will be a key storyline to follow, whether it involves another NFL opportunity, a return to European football, or another chapter in his professional career. His track record of perseverance through multiple waiver and re-sign cycles with the Cardinals suggests he will continue to pursue opportunities at the highest levels of the sport.