Michael Penix Jr. turned himself into a household name for football fans around the country during his two years with the Washington Huskies.
Now, the runner-up for the 2023 Heisman Trophy and No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft is going to have an opportunity to turn himself into an international star in 2025. On November 9, 2025, he’ll suit up for the Atlanta Falcons against the Indianapolis Colts for the first-ever regular season NFL game in Berlin, Germany.
The game will be played at Olympiastadion in Berlin, a venue that was originally constructed for the 1936 Summer Olympics and has hosted four NFL exhibition games over the years.
“We are definitely excited and proud to take part in the first-ever NFL regular-season game in Berlin, and look forward to seeing Atlanta Falcons fans from Germany and across the globe, in November,” Falcons president Greg Beadles said in a statement.
“Long before taking part in the NFL’s Global Markets Program, we saw and felt the passion for the Falcons from our dedicated German fans, including a number who have made trips to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and to our games across the U.S. and our previous international games. We look forward to experiencing the German culture and the fandom that has made Germany an important part of the NFL’s growth and future.”
For Penix, who is entering his first full season as the starting quarterback, he’ll have an opportunity to pick on what was one of the NFL’s worst passing defenses in 2024. The Colts allowed a 69.4 opposing completion percentage, the second-worst in the league, 4,142 yards, and 27 passing touchdowns, which ranked No. 25 and No. 23, respectively, last year.
The Falcons will take three other former Huskies, alongside Penix, to Germany: right tackle Kaleb McGary, outside linebacker Bralen Trice, and defensive back Kevin King. The game is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. local time, which is 9:30 a.m. EST and 6:30 a.m. PST.