The Stuttgart Surge have announced that they have signed American defensive back Mitch Fettig ahead of the 2023 European League of Football season.
Fettig joins the Surge after spending last season with the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns of the German Football League. In eight games played with the Unicorns, he recorded 39 total tackles and 2 interceptions as the team won the German Bowl and the CEFL Bowl. After the season, head coach Jordan Neuman announced he would be leaving the Unicorns and joining the Stuttgart Surge as their head coach. Last week, the Surge announced that they were signing American receiver Bryce Nunnelly, who also played under Neuman with the Unicorns last season, so the Surge are hoping that an influx of talent from arguably the best program in Europe will help them find success on the field this year.
At 6’1”, 200 pounds, the 26-year-old hails from Olympia, Washington. After graduating high school in 2014, he committed to Eastern Washington University, one of the top programs at the Division I FCS level. Fettig was a four year impact player for the Eagles, appearing in 44 games and recording nearly 300 total tackles. He also added six interceptions and 23 pass breakups in the secondary. His most prolific year was in the 2016 season, in which he recorded 96 tackles, nine pass breakups, and four interceptions as the Eagles finished with a record of 12-2.
Fettig signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League in early 2020, but the league’s season would be canceled that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was brought back by the team for the next season but did not make the final roster.
Fettig is the fourth and final American import player that the Surge will have on their roster this season.
On joining his new team, Fettig admits he’s excited:
“I am thrilled to be joining the Surge this year and continuing my playing career with a great coaching staff and teammates. I look forward to the new challenge of helping the Surge grow in transforming into a team fighting for the championship. I can’t wait to meet the people of Stuttgart and play in front of an incredible fan base. Praise God and get to work.”