From Summerville to Germany: How Steven Duncan scores big in European football league

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — Opportunities have no boundaries.

Ashley Ridge High School graduate Steven Duncan is living proof of that. Needless to say, this movie is more of an audible than a drawn-up play.

“I was sitting there watching NatGeo in my room in Summerville,” Duncan says. “How can I travel the world for free? Two days later, a coach from Dresden, Germany hit me up.”

The internet has made the world a whole lot smaller. It has worked well for the big-framed Lowcountry quarterback who played college ball at Western Kentucky and Tarleton State.

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“Looked up air yardage and yards per attempt in college, and unbeknownst to me, I was in the top with all passers in Division I FBS and Power 5 when I was in Tarleton,” Duncan says. “He liked that. [and] reached out to me. It’s an awesome opportunity.”

The only problem is he had already accepted a job as an offensive assistant at Texas State.

“I called Coach Kinney, and he said to play as long as I can, I’ll regret it if I don’t do it. This league used to be NFL Europe, it’s a big thing. We have Barcelona and Rein,” says Duncan.

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The rest is made for the record books. Duncan played his first season in Germany in front of crowds of 20,000 or more in famed soccer stadiums.

“We had some success. Led the league in offensive firepower, close in rushing, and led it in passing and TDs. [I] Got lucky enough to get another opportunity to come back over. Always a goal of mine. Being a professional athlete, even if in Europe is special. Not a lot of people get to do it. I’m very honored to represent the Madrid Bravos every time I go out and play. In Madrid, I have a small, thanks to Ashley Ridge High School, understanding of Spanish. I can communicate a little bit. Everyone speaks English pretty well.”

His talking is now being done with his actions. Hoping this small world pulls a reverse and brings him back to play in North America.

“Same rules as NFL. Kickoffs are the same as they are incorporated. If you go down without being touched, you can still run,” he said. “Same as NFL, it’s kind of nice, it gives good tape out. League is very competitive, D1 and P5 players, guys who played in Canada. I’m very competitive. This is the second NFL coach who has retired that I’ve played for. I have a big arm. It’s something I’m still chasing. Whether it’s attainable or not, some people will say no, in my mind, I’ll say yes until I can’t. Right now, I’m still young I enjoy playing the game, something I love.”