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Tampa Bay Storm QB Brett Dietz: Travel'in Man - by Evan Vladem

It was 2001 when quarterback Brett Dietz made the decision to go to Hanover College rather than a powerhouse, Division I program. Dietz just wanted to play, and as soon possible. He wanted to throw theball, something that Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills, KY didn't do much of. For Dietz, Hanover was the place to be.

Soon he became the starting quarterback and also punted. At Hanover he shattered both school and DIII records with 575 pass attempts and 360 completions in 2003. He had a true passion for the game and after his senior season in 2004, Dietz still wanted to play.

His offensive coordinator had an idea. He had played in Germany and suggested that Dietz give European football a try. Sure enough, Dietz signed to the Finnish Professional American Football League with the Turko Trojans.

"Obviously, football wasn't the main sport over there but it was a great way to go to Europe, live there for free, get paid a little bit and experience the world," Dietz said.

Dietz learned the Finnish culture and learned some Finnish words. That year, he led the league in passing and took the Trojans to Maple Bowl XXV. The team urged him to comeback for another year; however, Dietz was ready to progress in the States.

Upon his arrival, the Cincinnati Marshalls (NIFL) contacted him. The team was starting up in his hometown and after a workout, he signed. With it being the team's inaugural season and Dietz being a local quarterback, he was asked to help put the team together. Successfully constructing a team, Dietz led them to the Playoffs and word of a young, talented quarterback spread. Tampa Bay Storm's Director of Player Personnel, Dave Ewart, caught wind and went to Cincinnati to watch Dietz play.

Ewart liked what he saw and signed Dietz to the Storm's practice squad. "I was pretty intimidated by the AFL," Dietz said, "I watched the league on TV and I played in the NIFL the year before. I kind of skipped over the af2 ranks and went straight to the AFL. I was just looking to learn everything I could."

Dietz, however, wasn't getting the amount of reps he wanted. He felt like he hit a wall and wasn't getting better. The af2 season was approaching and the Louisville Fire expressed interest in Dietz. Dietz approached Head Coach Tim Marcum.

"I asked his professional opinion for my career and myself," Dietz said.

It was 2006 and a number of former af2 quarterbacks were beginning to succeed in the AFL. Marcum was honest with Dietz and they collectively concluded that it would be best for Dietz to get a year of af2 experience under his belt.

Dietz signed with the Louisville Fire and set the af2 ablaze earning the Rookie of the Year award.

After the season, AFL offers began rolling in. Dietz, however, didn't know what 2007 had in store. He signed with the Chicago Rush but after training camp, he was released without being asked to join the practice squad. Disgruntled, Dietz reflected. "I was about to get married at the end of the season so I had some big time life decisions to make," he said.

Dietz was still itching to play. He visited with the Buffalo Bills but didn't sign. Soon after, Dietz decided to sign to the Spokane Shock of the af2. The news quickly hit the Internet; however, he still had the AFL in sights. Before camp could begin, the Kansas City Brigade snatched him for their practice squad. Here, he learned their system and showed vast improvements. At the time, the Storm was struggling and had several injuries at quarterback. Marcum had his eyes set on Dietz. Moving quickly, Tampa signed him.

Upon his arrival in Tampa, Dietz was to backup longtime starter, John Kaleo. Dietz dressed for the first time on April 29, 2007 in a game against the Columbus Destroyers. He entered the game as the backup but Kaleo went down early in the game with a wrist injury and would be lost for the season.

"I went in right away and that was the spark that the team needed," Dietz said. "I was a young guy that really didn't know better but I was taking care of the ball."

Dietz started the last nine games of the season. He led the team to an 8-1 record down the stretch and a playoff berth. Dietz set the franchise single-season QB rating with a 119.3 rating at the conclusion of the year and was named AFL Rookie of the Year.

Before the 2008 season began, Dietz signed a three-year deal with the Storm and bought a home for him and his wife. In 2008, he became the fastest quarterback in AFL history to reach 4,000 career-passing yards (15 games) and tied for the fastest quarterback to reach 80-career touchdown passes (16 games). The Storm, however, finished 8-8 and missed the Playoffs by one game.

Just before the 2009 season was about to kickoff the season was suspended. With no place to play, Dietz packed his bags and moved back to Indiana with his wife. Just as they finished the move, the league announced their comeback for the 2010 season.

Not ready to hang up the pads, Dietz re-signed with the Storm. He decided to keep his home in Indiana, where his wife resides, and to live in Tampa during the season.

"Missing the Playoffs by one game in 2008 left a sour taste in our mouths. We knew we were better than that and we had a better team. I think that's why so many of our guys are back this year after not having a season in 2009. We wanted to set things right and make-up for what we had in 2008," Dietz said. "The rapport I have with the guys really came back quickly. I'm excited about our defense this year, we have a lot of new faces but I see a lot of potential."