In the final days of the Cardinals' practice for the season, the jersey No. 40 -- numerals featuring camouflage -- has been worn by Bernhard Seikovits.
The Tillman practice jersey has been in play for the team since last year, a reward for the outstanding scout team player from the week before, an honor voted on by the coaching staff. That it went to an international player (Seikovits also took the honor once in 2023) is also meaningful.
"I feel like every player, no matter where he is from, whether he is from Florida or a small town in the USA, every player has someone behind them and is trying to create a path for people behind him," Seikovits said. "European players and people from outside the U.S., there aren't many of us. We have people rooting for us.
"I don't know how many 14-year-olds back home are like, 'Oh I hope he makes the active roster so I can be in the league one day.' But I want to prepare one day to make it an easier way for the people back home. You see the game internationally grow every year, you see all the games over there and you know that's what they are trying to do."
On the wall near one set of locker room doors – next to Tillman's forever locker in the Dignity Health Training Center – the practice player each week is recognized, in addition to the jersey he wears on the field.
Seikovits, the 27-year-old Austrian, acknowledges he didn't know of Tillman or Tillman's story before he signed with Arizona. That changed quickly.
"I feel like it's hard not to come across him once you get here," he said. "They still have his locker here once you walk in. It's one of the first things I learned about the Cardinals and it's really an inspiring story. It's an honor to get the jersey."
That the jersey ends the season on a player with the most practice squad experience seems fitting. Coach Jonathan Gannon said the man they call "Seiko" continues to learn the position, putting in extra work as he finishes his fourth year with the Cardinals.
The tight end room has been healthy, however, with fourth tight end Travis Vokolek a healthy scratch most of the season and preventing a need to turn to Seikovits on game days.
"I'm just trying to do my best every day, especially in preseason in camp every year I try to be prepared," Seikovits said. "So far it hasn't really worked out the way I envisioned it, but I strongly believe I can be on the field on Sundays in the regular season. Maybe next year is the year."
In the meantime, he'll get his teammates ready for the 49ers, wearing the omnipresent No. 40.
"You always try to find motivation in whatever you do," Seikovits said. "Being on P-squad sometimes it can get hard to motivate yourself, not standing out there on the field with the other guys. Every little thing helps. You try to earn that jersey every week."
