He was nearly one in a million. During his years playing ball for the Fliers, he made Clyde fans and fans of Clyde’s opponents shake their heads many a time with what he could do in sports competition.
Now the young man from Green Springs will continue to work his ‘magic’ in a far away land, Germany.
Alex Gillett will play wide receiver and some ‘wildcat’ quarterback for the Kirchdorf Wildcats.
Flier football fans can never forget Alex and his years as a Flier ballplayer. The ‘pinball wizard’s zigzag long run in the playoffs against Big Walnut his senior year has to rate as one of the most bizarre and amazing runs Ohio high school history.
Far less remembered was his superb job as an extra point holder during his freshman season. According to longtime varsity assistant Matt Flewelling, Alex held the ball down for two game-winning kicks during the 2005 playoff run.
In addition, ‘Flew’ shared how during Alex’s junior year, with his team needing to beat Oak Harbor to win the SBC and a spot in the postseason, the phenomenal No. 8 broke the school’s single game record with four touchdowns. The athletic achievements of this humble Flier star will forever be in the annals of Flier sports history.
Recently, Gillett talked about his recent sports’ adventures, his upcoming stint in Germany and some lessons he has learned the past few years. He spoke of the two years in the Green Bay Packers’ training camp and on their practice squad.
“I am extremely thankful for the opportunities the Packers gave me as an undrafted player (out of Eastern Michigan). It was certainly a change from college to pro ball,” Gillett said. “The latter is all business. If you fail at a position, they simply go out and find someone who can do the job. In college, if you stumble they give you a chance to get your position back. Playing with the Packers for was a terrific experience. I learned a ton and met some great people.”
Flier fans will also remember his preseason play for Green Bay. In his games he caught passes from notable quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and former Heisman winner Vince Young.
In Southeast Germany, Gillett will play a 14 game schedule. He intends to be a wide receiver with spot action as a ‘wildcat’ quarterback. The game there resembles college football here in the United States.
Will he succeed over there?
According to Flewelling and Clyde football coach Ryan Carter, Alex was simply a ‘pure leader’ as a player and most recently as a Flier varsity football volunteer coach.
“The way he sees the game as a player and can relate it to our kids is a true gift,” Carter said. “He’s positively the fiercest competitor I have ever been around of all the athletes I have been around as a player and as a coach.”
“Alex has a rare asset in that he is remarkably ‘cool’ in nearly any situation where pressure or excitement affects others,” Flewelling said. “For example, I never will forget the time when before one game while Matt Guhn and Bubba Andrews were emotionally working their teammates into a frenzy, there was Alex….sleeping by a locker.”
I also asked what one of the greatest all time running backs in Flier football lore thought of the young man from a small town.
One of the greatest running backs in Flier football lore also spoke about the young man from a small town.
“Alex was unquestionably the greatest quarterback and probably the best all-round athlete Clyde High School has ever produced,” Dick Farrar said. “Yet, he remains to this day a good and humble, down-to-earth young person. I wish him well.”
The Clyde community will be rooting for Alex in his German football adventure. He will be able to enjoy his love of football, meeting people, and traveling. Alex, a true family-oriented and grateful all-star will spend eight months in Germany.
