Standing 6-7 and tipping the scales at more than 300 pounds, Elliot Seifert is a huge presence wherever he goes.

But the former Exeter and Temple University standout said he isn’t so big that playing in the Indoor Football League is beneath him. In fact, he’s thrilled to join the Reading Express for the second season. “I’m still playing the game,” said Seifert, a 2002 Exeter grad. “It doesn’t matter what level you’re at. Everybody who’s here wants to be here, and it’s a great game.”

Seifert joined the Express in the middle of the season for the second straight year. He saw his first action last Saturday at offensive guard in Reading’s 49-28 win over Richmond at the Sovereign Center. Seifert played the last seven games of the 2010 season for the Express. He said he wanted to return to the Express at the beginning of this season but wasn’t sure he could make the commitment since he started a new job teaching at Haverford in Philadelphia. “I didn’t know if I could get away from that to give what is needed to be successful here,” Seifert said.

Seifert stepped right in and helped the Express unleash one of its best offensive performances against Richmond.
Seifert shared time at guard with Sean Tetreault on an offensive line that included veteran guard Chris Nunn and first-year center Steve Brazzle. Seifert was all smiles after his first game in nearly a year. “I missed it,” Seifert said. “It’s a great game. It’s hard to walk away.”

Seifert started 34 games at Temple, the last during the 2006 season. As a senior, Seifert received Temple’s Top Hog Award as the team’s best offensive linemen. He was playing with the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League before the uncertainty of that league forced him to explore other career opportunities. Seifert said he’s glad he can combine his new teaching career with playing football in Reading. “It feels so good to be back,” Seifert said. “My family gets to come see me; my friends get to come see me. I’m close to home so it’s fun to play in front of the people that I actually know.”

One person glad to see Seifert back in an Express uniform is head coach Chris Thompson.The addition of Seifert and Brazzle have helped stabilize an offensive line that has been a work in progress for the past season and a half.
“We’ve been talking with him for about a month or two,” Thompson said. “Any time you can get a 6-7, 300-plus pound Division I-experienced offensive lineman, that’s what we need. He’s a nice addition to our team.”

But Seifert said he isn’t taking anything for granted. He said he understands people who have been with the team for the entire season want to protect their jobs. “If I were on the other side and somebody new came and tried to take my job, I would be a little disgruntled,” Seifert said. “You need to make your mark; you need to prove that you can play. But you don’t want to cross anybody. I can’t come in and expect to be just handed a spot. I’ve got to earn it.”