A Star In Disguise
Adam J Locascio
Friday April 1, 2005
You’ll find him somewhere between the goal line and the line of scrimmage.
He’s always there. Quiet. Stealthy. Lurking around. It’s tough to find him. He’s just the kind of player that slips your mind until you follow a football in mid-air to its intended target.
He doesn’t "streak." He’s not known as a "burner." He just appears underneath a thrown ball.
Yes, Clif Dell is a man forgotten.
In this age of Terrell Owens and his Sharpie, Dell is the type of athlete that stands out by not standing out. Dell won’t ever spike the ball. Dell won’t ever taunt a player on the other team. Dell won’t even break out into a touchdown dance.
"You can ask my wife. I don’t dance. At all," said Dell.
You won’t find Clif Dell even if you are looking for him. He’s hiding. Not by his own choice, it’s just the hand that he’s been dealt and he is making the most of it.
But Clif won’t ask for your sympathy. As a matter of fact, he’s having a year where he’s turning in phenomenal performances game after game. While the yardage is going to other receivers, he has become a touchdown-scoring machine this year.
"He’s our Chris Carter," said former Tampa Bay Storm teammate and David Saunders. "All he does is score touchdowns and then he goes back to the huddle."
Dell is a star, buried on a team full of supernovas. He doesn’t have the speed of a Freddie Solomon, nor does he possess the size and power of a Lawrence Samuels. What Dell does have is the uncanny knack for making plays when people have forgotten about him. This is by design.
"Clif comes in the game and throws the other team a different look," said Storm offensive coordinator Pat O’Hara. "Other teams don’t take him seriously. He doesn’t look the part, but all he does is produce and catch touchdowns."
Fans don’t usually know he’s on the field until Storm quarterback Shane Stafford releases and their eyes track down the field where his eyes widen under the approaching throw. That’s when you notice Clif Dell- when it is too late.
Alone. Forgotten. Making his play.
But even for all of his success this season, Dell isn’t a rah-rah guy. His fellow receivers were hard-pressed to think of a time when he has been riled up.
"I just try and do my part," said Dell. "To be in the spot where Shane knows I’m going to be."
"He’s laid back. That’s just the way he is. He plays the game just like we do. He’s just another brother to me. But that’s just Dell. That’s ‘8-Ball,’" said Saunders. "I’ve never seen him excited, except when he’s with his kids."
But maybe this is done by design? When you are not the biggest, fastest guy on the field, you need some kind of edge. Something that people can’t see. The again, the coaches know what Dell can do for a receiving core.
Dell plays all over the field. From WR/LB, WR/DB, OS and he holds for extra points and field goals. On the depth chart, he is listed as the back-up kicker.
"The one game I didn’t dress for last season, our kicker got hurt," said Dell, referring to the game against the Chicago Rush where Storm kicker Matt George broke his clavicle. "David (Saunders) and Jonathan (Ordway) ended up kicking."
Football players all dream about winning an Arena Bowl. Dell has played in three during his career; however, he has yet to finish one.
In 1999, Dell was not on the active roster for the Arena Bowl. In 2000, he injured his knee and was forced to leave the game early. In Arena Bowl XVII, Dell was listed as the back-up quarterback to John Kaleo. Unfortunately, Kaleo was injured and the team went to O’Hara, who was their third string quarterback. As a result, Dell had to leave the game permanently.
But Dell was about as animated as much as he is after scoring a touchdown. NBC cameras showed him on the sidelines, clapping.
"I try and get noticed for the good things. I really try to be the quiet leader on the team," said Dell.
Maybe Clif Dell is the smartest guy in the league? He’s not using his feet to juke a defender out of his cleats; he’s using his brain.
While everyone else is looking for touchdown dances, spikes, and chest thumping, Dell catches his touchdowns, and then removes his gloves to hold for the extra point.
And just like that, he’s forgotten. Back to his seat. Another face in the blue and gold.
Until the next time.
Adam J. Locascio is a financial advisor in the Tampa Bay area and a Board Member of the Tampa Bay Storm Surge Fan Club. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Phoenix and is a six-year season ticket holder for the Tampa Bay Storm.
