Lucky  #13
Grand Rapids' Dolezel Changes Number's Unwanted Stigma

Superstition is a curious thing.

Black cats, broken mirrors and walking under ladders are all superstitions that are supposed to bring "bad luck."

Take for instance, the No. 13.  Some fear it and consider the number to be unlucky. They believe it brings misfortune and avoid it whenever possible.

Many athletes avoid the number for fear of the havoc that it may bring.

But one athlete embraces it.  Former East Texas State quarterback Clint Dolezel wears No. 13 for the AFL's Grand Rapids Rampage and has put a positive spin on the superstition.

Dolezel has led Grand Rapids (3-0) to a first place tie with Indiana atop the Central Division standings by completing 70-of-108 passes (64.8 percentage) for 780 yards, 15 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

"I wore the No. 12 in high school because of (former Dallas Cowboy quarterback) Roger Staubach," Dolezel said.  "But when I went to college, No. 12 was taken, so I settled on No. 13.  I wanted to change the negative stereotype that came with it."

And change it, he did.

Dolezel was born in Waco, Texas - the youngest of three boys to Johnnie and Judy Dolezel.  Besides playing football, he lettered in track, played on the golf team, and still holds school records for the javelin.  He credits gaining his competitive edge from his family.

"We're all very competitive," Dolezel said.  "If you asked any of us who the best athlete in the family was - you'd probably get a different answer from each one of us.  But, it's my opinion that my mom is the best athlete in the family."

Dolezel's desire to play football flourished in junior high - that was when he knew that he wanted to be a quarterback.

"Both of my brothers (Steve and Lance) were wide receivers," he said.  "I wanted to do something different."

Dolezel began his college career at Cisco Junior College where he earned Second Team All-Conference honors under the direction of former AFL and current Norfolk Nighthawk (arenafootball2) Head Coach Rick Frasier.  He then transferred to East Texas State where he was twice named to the Second Team All-Lone Star Conference team.

Undrafted out of college, Dolezel attended the Cleveland Browns camp as a free agent in 1994, but was later cut.  That is when he first looked into Arena Football.  Dolezel got a call from fellow East Texas State alumnus, Michael Trigg, who was coaching the Milwaukee Mustangs and asked Dolezel if he'd like to try Arena Football.

Dolezel spent two years in Milwaukee before Trigg gave him the biggest break of his AFL career - a trade to the Texas Terror.

"Looking back - he did me a favor," Dolezel said of his current Grand Rapids coach.  In Milwaukee, Dolezel was playing behind the League's then all-time passing leader, Todd Hammel.

Texas provided him with a shot at the starting job. Dolezel battled current Georgia Force Head Coach Marty  Lowe for first string but lost.  But as fate would have it, Lowe was injured in the first game, allowing Dolezel to step in.

"Marty outplayed me - there was no question about it," Dolezel recalled. "But when he went down, I knew that I had to take advantage of the opportunity."

Take advantage, he did.  Dolezel finished the year with 3,377 passing yards and 69 touchdowns - and that was just the beginning.

Grand Rapids' No. 13 has become one of the most prolific passers in Arena Football League history.  Dolezel is No. 5 on the all-time passing yards list (20,775), No. 4 in touchdown passes (408) and No. 2 in completion percentage (65.1).  He owns three of the top five single-game passing yards performances in AFL history and he threw for 10 touchdowns in a game twice.

In 1999 with the Houston ThunderBears, Dolezel had one of the best season's for a quarterback.  He led the League in attempts (556), completions (374), completion percentage (67.3), passing yardage (4,336) and touchdown passes (80) - but was not named to any All-Arena team.  The modest quarterback kept it all in perspective.

"We finished at 4-10," Dolezel said.  "All of those numbers go out the window if your team doesn't win."

Dolezel credits his former Houston head coach and current Dallas Desperados' assistant Steve Thonn for helping his development along the way.

"Steve has one of the best offensive minds in the League," Dolezel said. "He lets the quarterback have input and that helps give a player confidence. I will try to have that same style when I'm coaching."

"He just plays," Coach Thonn said when asked what he liked most about Dolezel.  "No matter what the situation, he just goes out and plays the best he can.  Nothing fazes him."

Dolezel's focus is one of his most valued characteristics. This year, he is focused on another ArenaBowl title.

The Rampage should feel lucky.