Sports: First Ever 800 TD Passer
(Bio and Photo Credit: Dallas Desperados)
AFL NOTES: In one of the biggest free agent signings in franchise history, the Dallas Desperados inked Clint Dolezel (DOLL-zel) to a two-year deal on Oct. 14. In 10 seasons as a quarterback in the Arena Football League, Clint Dolezel has established himself as one of the league's most prolific passers. He currently ranks fourth in league history in passing yardage (32,679), pass attempts (4,231) and passing touchdownds (660), while ranking second in career completions (2,763). His 65.3 career completion percentage is also good for second place. In addition, he led the 2001 Grand Rapids Rampage squad to an ArenaBowl XV championship. In 2005, Dolezel became just the fourth player in league history to post eight-or-more seasons with 2,000-or-more yards passing (Sherdrick Bonner - nine, Andy Kelly - 10, Aaron Garcia - eight). Dolezel also holds four of the top 10 marks for completions in a single season, three of the top six marks for passing yards gained in a season and four of the top six marks for yards gained in a game. He began his AFL career with the Milwaukee Mustangs (1995-96) before playing for the Texas Terror (1997) and the Houston Thunderbears (1998-1999). He quarterbacked the Rampage (2001-03) before playing the last two seasons for the Las Vegas Gladiators.
AFL 2005: In his second season with Las Vegas, Dolezel started 12 games for the Gladiators and completed 303-of-467 passes for 3,341 yards, 46 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. In the season opener against Los Angeles (1/30), Dolezel converted 60.0% of his passes (18-of-30) for 251 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. In the Week Two matchup at San Jose (2/5), he hit on 18-of-30 passes for 258 yards, four scores and two picks before injuring a finger on his throwing hand. He was placed on Reserve/Injured and missed the next four games. Dolezel returned to form at Columbus (3/12) and connected on 21-of-29 throws for 273 yards and five scores. He then completed 77.5% of his passes (31-of-40) for 280 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions at Arizona (3/19) before completing 31 of a season-high 57 passes for season-highs of 395 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions against San Jose (3/28). At Colorado (4/3), Dolezel threw for 321 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions on 24-of-45 passes. He converted a season-high 80.0% of his passes (24-of-30) for 230 yards and five scores against Grand Rapids (4/8), then completed 28-of-43 passes for 341 yards and eight touchdowns at Philadelphia (4/17). He finished the game at Chicago (5/1) 28-of-36 for 355 yards and nine scores and capped off his third straight game without a pick. Against Dallas (5/7), he threw for 215 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions, completing 19-of-33 passes. At Los Angeles (5/14), he was 34-of-44 passing for 350 yards and seven scores before closing out the season 26-of-50 for five scores and two picks against Arizona (5/22).
AFL 2004: Dolezel joined the Gladiators in an offseason trade that sent Harry Mitchell, Paul LaQuerre and Sedrick Robinson to Grand Rapids. In his first season in Las Vegas, Dolezel posted one of his most impressive seasons in the AFL. In 16 games, he completed 382-of-581 passes (65.7%) for 4,450 yards (sixth all-time), 93 touchdowns (sixth all-time), and 12 interceptions. In his Gladiators debut at Colorado (2/6), Dolezel hit on 22-of-31 passes for 206 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. Against Los Angeles (2/14), he converted 24-of-32 attempts for 312 yards and eight touchdowns before going 17-of-26 for 222 yards, five touchdowns and a pick at Grand Rapids (2/22). Against New Orleans (2/29), he was 22-of-31 for 224 yards and four touchdowns and was named the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Week after throwing his 500th career touchdown pass. Against Arizona (3/14), Dolezel completed 34-of-49 passes for eight scores before throwing for 451 yards, nine touchdowns and two picks on 31-of-50 throws at San Jose (3/20). He completed 71.8% of his passes (23-of-32) for 285 yards and five scores against Chicago (4/4) before completing 78.4% (29-of-37) for 290 yards and nine scores at Arizona (4/10). He snapped a five-game streak without an interception after throwing three picks on 28-of-47 passing for 289 yards and five scores against San Jose (5/16). In the season finale against Colorado (5/30), he threw for 261 yards and seven touchdowns on 18-of-23 attempts.
AFL 2003: In his final season in Grand Rapids, Dolezel finished the year as one of the league's elite quarterbacks, breaking his own single-season franchise records in passing yards (4,430), touchdowns (89) and yards-per-attempt (8.11). He passed for seven touchdowns in six different games and earned Game MVP honors four times, including a streak of three consecutive games - against Chicago (3/29), at Indiana (4/5) and against Las Vegas (4/13).
AFL 2002: In his second season with the Rampage, Dolezel finished as the league's top passer, sitting atop the charts in completions (339), attempts (505) and touchdowns (79). He completed a single-season team-high 67.1 percent of his passes while finishing fifth in the league in passer rating (113.9). He broke Grand Rapids single-game record for touchdown passes with nine against Los Angeles (6/15). That performance earned Dolezel the league's MVP of the Week. He had an eight-touchdown performance against Arizona (5/31) and he was named game MVP two times - at Arizona (5/31) and at New York (7/13). AFL 2001: In his first season quarterbacking Grand Rapids, Dolezel led the team to an ArenaBowl XV championship while taking home team MVP and Second-Team All-AFL honors, setting team single-season records in passing yards (3,952), attempts (574), completions (364) and touchdowns (80). He broke his own AFL single-season record in pass attempts and ranked among the league's all-time single-season leaders in completions (third), passing yards (ninth) and touchdowns (tied for sixth). He was named the AFL's MVP of the Week on two occasions - at Indiana (4/14) and against Indiana (6/23). He took every snap under center through the season and took home Player of the Game honors seven times. In the Rampage's run to the ArenaBowl title, Dolezel completed 69-of-98 passes for 847 yards and 16 touchdowns in three games. He finished the playoff run with a 132.1 quarterback rating while completing 30 passes (tied for second best playoff total) on 37 attempts for 374 yards (fourth-best playoff game total) and eight touchdowns (tied for second best playoff total) against Indiana (8/12). He tied an ArenaBowl record with seven touchdown passes and posted the fifth-best ArenaBowl total for passing yards (308) on 26-of-36 passes. OTHER PRO EXPERIENCE: 2000 - Dolezel signed with the Chicago Bears of the NFL on March 21. He went to training camp, but was released August 7. AFL 1999: Dolezel was selected as the Houston Thunderbears MVP after setting AFL single-season records with 374 completions and 4,336 passing yards. He finished the season leading the league and placing among its all-time leaders with 556 attempts - good for second - a 67.3 completion percentage (third) and 80 touchdown passes (fifth). He garnered game MVP honors for four consecutive weeks (June 18-July 9) and also earned AFL Player of the Week honors for his performance against Milwaukee (5/17). Dolezel set an AFL single-game record for completion percentage (89.7%, 35-of-39) at Nashville (6/18). AFL 1998: Dolezel was honored as Houston's MVP after leading the league with 4,228 passing yards - good for third all-time - and 81 touchdown passes - fourth all-time. He set an AFL record with 558 attempts and ranked among the all-time single-season bests with 343 completions (third). He threw for eight touchdowns four times and for over 300 yards seven times. AFL 1997: In his only year with the Texas Terror, Dolezel became the first quarterback in league history to pass for 400 yards in a game, completing 34-of-43 passes for 449 yards and nine touchdowns at Iowa (7/26). He also tied for third in the league with 69 touchdown passes in his first season as a starter. He set franchise records in virtually every passing category, including touchdowns in a game (10) and a season (69). He threw seven-or-more touchdowns in five games while his 66.8 completion percentage on the season ranked fourth all-time. He was honored three different times as Wilson Player of the Week. AFL 1996: In his second season with the Milwaukee Mustangs, Dolezel saw time in four games and completed nine-of-16 passes for 103 yards and two scores. AFL 1995: As a rookie, Dolezel saw time in three games for the Mustangs, completing 10-of-12 passes for 121 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
COLLEGE: Dolezel was a two-time second-team All-Lone Star Conference selection at East Texas State after compiling career totals of 249 completions in 483 attempts for 3,152 yards and 22 touchdowns. He was awared the Regional Player of the Week from USA Today as a junior. Dolezel spent his first two years of eligibility at Cisco Junior College where he earned second-team All-Conference honors.
PERSONAL: Dolezel earned a degree in physical education and history while, lettering for the track team and playing for East Texas's golf team. Dolezel was very active in the community while playing with the Las Vegas Gladiators and plans to continue his efforts in Dallas. After signing with the Desperados, Dolezel helped run all-day clinics in three schools in the Dallas School District in conjunction with the U.S. Army. He took the opportunity to stress the importance of education while also teaching the students a variety of football techniques. Dolezel is backing Clint's Corner Charity Ticket Program where underprivileged children have the opportunity to experience the fun and fast-paced environment of Arena Football experience first hand.Dolezel and his wife, Kris, have two children, Molly and Trevor. Dolezel's cousins, Dan Campbell (Dallas) and Jeremy Calahan (St. Louis) play in the NFL.
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