January 2, 2025
Robert Szmielak – end of the rebelion
Robert is among the absolute elite of football players in the country. Throughout his career, he has played for many renowned teams in Silesia and is also a member of the Polish national team. In 2023, he was a finalist in the Polish Bowl when Silesia Rebels faced off against the Lowlanders Białystok.
There’s no need to elaborate on the class of our new receiver – Szmielak is a name known across Poland, and we can’t wait to see him in action with our offense.
Robert, welcome to the Royal Family!
INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT
To start, tell us about your career so far – what got it all started?
I started my career by watching my friend Mateusz Szurpicki play. He encouraged me to join the now-defunct Wolverines Opole. Shortly after, a merger in Opole led to the creation of a team called Towers Opole. After two seasons in my hometown, I joined the Panthers, followed by the Falcons, and then the Rebels, where I spent the last three seasons.
After a few years of playing in Silesia, you’re moving to Kraków. What was the main factor in your decision to transfer to the Kings?
In truth, there were many factors. I want to play with guys who share a mindset similar to mine—hard work and fighting for the championship until the very end. Conversations with Mati Wiecheć also played a big role; we often talked about playing together during Polish national team camps.
How would you describe yourself as a player? What can fans expect from you and the entire Kraków offense?
If you don’t know who to throw to—throw to Szmielak. That’s how I’d describe myself. I’m tall, strong, have reliable hands, and can find myself in the right place at the right time, which will help me develop a great connection with the quarterback. Kraków fans might remember me from a game where I scored three touchdowns against the Kings. I’ll bring a lot of experience and quality to the Kraków offense, helping us become one of the best units in the league.