Gehrig Richard Dieter (born February 24, 1993) is an American former professional football player who played wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Dieter attended and played college football at three different schools: SMU Mustangs, Bowling Green Falcons, and Alabama Crimson Tide. After going undrafted in the 2017 NFL draft, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.
Early Years and High School Success
Dieter established himself as a football standout early in his career. He was named a PARADE All-American. Dieter was also named Indiana 4A Player of the Year, earning the nod over Notre Dame-bound Gunner Kiel. During his senior year, he set numerous records. Dieter holds national records for receiving yards in a single game (437) and receiving yards per catch (26.9). He also holds Indiana state records for most receiving yards in a career (4,326), a season (2,171), a game (437) and in a 4A State playoff game (168) and TDs in a career (49). Following his senior season, Dieter was named an Indiana High School Athletic Association first-team All-State selection and the Northern Indiana Conference MVP. He was also a MAXPreps first-team All-American.
College Career
SMU Mustangs
Dieter began his college career with the SMU Mustangs.
Bowling Green Falcons
Wagner reported that Dieter, a South Bend, Ind., native, was leaving SMU and wanted to join Bowling Green. Dieter made his collegiate debut against Western Kentucky on August 29, 2014. Against the Hilltoppers, he had seven receptions for 78 receiving yards in the 59-31 loss. On December 5, against Northern Illinois, he had two receptions for 56 receiving yards and his first collegiate receiving touchdown, a 42-yard reception from James Knapke, in the 51-17 loss in the MAC Championship. On December 20, against the South Alabama Jaguars in the 2014 Camellia Bowl, he had seven receptions for a season-high 108 receiving yards in the 33-28 victory. Overall, in the 2014 season, he had 35 receptions for 460 yards and one touchdown.
The 2015 season was a breakout season for Dieter. With Matt Johnson at quarterback, Dieter and Roger Lewis combined to be a solid receiver combination for the Falcons. In the season opener, against the Tennessee Volunteers, he had seven receptions for 133 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in the 59-30 loss at Nissan Stadium. In the next game, against Maryland, he was held to one reception, a 14-yard touchdown reception in the 48-27 victory. On November 4, against the Ohio Bobcats, he had nine receptions for 136 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 62-24 victory. On November 17, against Toledo, he had 13 receptions for 103 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in the 44-28 loss. Overall, in the 2015 season, he had 94 receptions for 1,033 yards and ten touchdowns.
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Alabama Crimson Tide
Dieter transferred to Alabama for the 2016 season under head coach Nick Saban. He joined a receiving unit that already had the talents of Calvin Ridley, ArDarius Stewart, and O. J. Howard. In a game against USC, he had one reception for 15 yards. Against Chattanooga, he had two receptions for 14 yards. In the SEC Championship against Florida, he had one reception for 17 yards. In the Peach Bowl against Washington, he had one reception for 13 yards. Overall, in the 2016 season, Dieter finished with 15 receptions for 214 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Professional Career
Kansas City Chiefs
After going undrafted in the 2017 NFL draft, Dieter signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. In 2017, Dieter signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs. On September 1, 2018, Dieter was waived by the Chiefs and was signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on November 18. Dieter made his NFL debut on December 2, against the Oakland Raiders, recording one tackle on special teams. In the regular season finale against the Oakland Raiders, he recorded his first professional reception, which went for 22 yards, in the 35-3 victory. In the AFC Championship, Dieter was involved in a controversial play where he recovered a muffed punt from Julian Edelman, which he returned for a touchdown. The call was later overturned, giving the ball back to the Patriots. On August 31, 2019, Dieter was placed on injured reserve. He was waived from injured reserve with an injury settlement on September 7.
Dieter re-signed with the Chiefs on February 11, 2020. The Chiefs made good use of new practice squad rules. On November 7, 2020, the Chiefs elevated two players from the practice squad. On November 21, 2020, the Chiefs ruled out Sammy Watkins, and placed Taco Charlton and Mitchell Schwartz on IR. The Chiefs announced several roster moves on Saturday, December 26, 2020. On January 2, 2021, the Chiefs announced a flurry of new roster moves on Saturday. The Chiefs re-signed a special teams ace and released a veteran receiver. On January 13, 2021, the Chiefs signed WR Gehrig Dieter to the practice squad and released QB Jordan Ta'amu. The Chiefs announced a flurry of roster moves on Saturday, January 16, 2021. Dieter got another chance with KC Chiefs in '21. On August 31, 2021, the Chiefs announced roster moves to meet the NFL-mandated 53 players. On September 2, 2021, the Chiefs signed 14 players to the practice squad. On February 2, 2022, the Chiefs signed 13 players to reserve/future contracts. On May 5, 2022, the Chiefs waived wide receiver Gehrig Dieter, along with 5 other players.
Retirement
In June 2022, Dieter announced his retirement from professional football.
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