Rhodes graduate tackles football in Central Europe | People

“Determination, hard work, and a lot of prayer,” are just a few words Desmond Hendricks uses to describe his journey from East Tennessee to Ljubljana, Slovenia. 

The 6-foot-1, 245-pound linebacker from Chattanooga is still humble after being chosen to play for the Ljubljana, Silverhawks in the Central European Football League.

The CEFL is a regional American Football league that includes clubs from Serbia, Slovenia, Hungary, Turkey and Austria. Since the 2010 season, the league is played during the spring and summer months.

While at Rhodes, Hendricks led the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference in tackles for loss in 2008 with 17.5, five more than second place, and in sacks with 8.5, and he was fourth in total tackles with 82. A multiple honoree as the league’s defensive player of the week, he was the SCAC defensive player of the year in 2007.

The son of a preacher man and a preacher woman, a 2007 Commercial Appeal article described Hendricks as a “holy terror” on the field.

“Rhodes was a great time for me. I was blessed with some great coaches that pushed me beyond my limit," Hendricks said. “I had some great teammates that made me a better player and a better person.”

According to its official website, Ljubljana is a city full of artists, museums and galleries. With a population of 300,000, it is one of the smallest capital cities in Europe.

“I have a beautiful view of the city from my apartment. It’s compact and congested, but comfortable. I like the food and tasting different things.” He goes on to say, “I miss my bed, but I get a lot sleep and that never happens in the States.” 

Asked about what he wanted to get out of his first season with the Silverhawks, “A championship and the recognition that our defense in one of the best in Europe.”