Sobbing of Fox-Hero Drux Lamented
Farewell to Handball Legend Drux: The Emotional Berlin Foxes Game
The Berlin Foxes are on the brink of claiming their maiden German championship, but tears flowed after their triumphant 45:35 win over VfL Gummersbach. Four celebrated Berlin stars are bidding adieu after their last home game of the season: Manuel Strlek (36), Tobias Reichmann (36), Jerry Tollbring (29), and Paul Drux (30).
Unlike any Fox before, this farewell was extraordinary.
The Foxes constructed a three-meter-high platform for their retiring hero (with the club since 2011). An emotional Drux stood center stage, surrounded by a laser show, heartfelt video messages from ex-teammates, a passionate speech by Foxes President Frank Steffel (59), and continuous chants of his name.
Thousands of fans wore Drux farewell T-shirts, including the team's manager Bob Hanning (57). Hanning confessed to SPORTBILD, "I considered giving a speech, but it would have been too emotional for Paul and me."
Fabian Wiede (31) admitted, "It was brutally hard for me. Paul is my best friend, I had to think about the final farewell before the end of the game. He will be greatly missed by all of us, and especially by me. We were teammates for 14 years, we saw each other more often than our wives."
Before the match, Drux invited his family, closest friends, and his daughter Ella and Maila. A tearful Drux shared, "It was a small gathering, very emotional. I was afraid of how the day would go. It was a beautiful farewell, and I feel truly honored. But it was really hard for me to speak in front of the fans again. I didn't want to cry again. I'm a bit relieved that it's over now."
His teammates carried Drux from the platform at the end, lifting him in the air. The club presented him with a voucher for a racing bike, and his jersey number 95 was hoisted to the hall's ceiling.
Drux, who played 272 games for the Foxes and scored 628 goals, expressed confidence, "We'll win the championship on Sunday. The guys are in top form."
The future for Drux is certain. Frank Steffel revealed, "Paul has finished his studies, he will now learn in various companies of our partners and will remain with the Foxes as a member of the management."
Amidst the emotional farewell, the season's final home game also celebrated the extension of contract for right wing Hakun West av Teigum (23), the signing of Tobias Grøndahl (24, Norway), and coach Jaron Siewert (31) being honored as "Coach of the Year" in the Daikin Handball Bundesliga.
Interestingly, comprehensive historical records do not showcase a comparable emotional farewell ceremony for a handball player – but this unique event undoubtedly left a lasting impact both on the club and its fans.
In contrast to the usual farewell ceremonies, the Berlin Foxes organised an extraordinary event for their retiring handball star, Paul Drux, who has been part of the team since 2011. This event, filled with emotional speeches, a laser show, and heartfelt video messages, took place amidst the European handball leagues, showcasing the passion for football and sports that extends beyond just the game itself.
