John Diettrich

Last updated

John Diettrich
No. 9
Position Placekicker
Personal information
Born (1963-05-09) May 9, 1963 (age 62)
Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school Homestead (Ft. Wayne)
College Ball State
NFL draft 1987: undrafted
Career history
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics
Field goals made6
Field goal attempts6
Field goal %100.0
Longest field goal45
Stats at Pro Football Reference

John Michael Diettrich (born May 9, 1963) is an American former professional football player who was a kicker in the National Football League (NFL).

Diettrich was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana and played scholastically at Homestead High School. [1]

He played college football at Ball State University. [2] As a junior he led the nation in field goals, with 25, and as a senior he had a field goal of 62 yards, the longest in the nation. [3] Both years he was honored with All-America selections. [4] [5]

Diettrich signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1987, but left their training camp after struggling to make the adjustment to kicking extra points and field goals without a tee. [3]

Diettrich joined the Houston Oilers as a replacement player during the 1987 NFLPA strike, He performed well, going 5 for 5 on extra points and 6 for 6 on field goals, but was released when the strike ended. [6]

In 1997 he was named to the Ball State Hall of Fame. [7]

In 2003-04, Diettrich made a return to football, playing for the Fort Wayne Freedom of the National Indoor Football League. Over the two seasons he played in 29 games and was named an All-Star in 2004. [8] [9]

References

  1. "John Diettrich Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  2. "John Diettrich, K". Nfl.com. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Diettrich puts aside NFL hopes". Muncie Evening Press. August 8, 1987. p. 11.
  4. "All-America". Akron Beacon Journal. December 10, 1985. p. D2.
  5. "AP All-America Football Team". Florida Today. December 5, 1986. p. 5C.
  6. "John Diettrich given release by Houston Oilers". Muncie Evening Press. October 28, 1987. p. 13.
  7. "John Diettrich" . Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  8. "Ft. Wayne Freedom All-Time Roster" . Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  9. "NIFL Playoffs Set, Division All-Stars Announced". July 7, 2004. Retrieved November 26, 2025.