Catching up with Decorah's Brett Van Sloten

(Left to right): Brett Van Sloten with Decorah Lions Club President Steve Tjossem

Decorah native Brett Van Sloten has played football for the Decorah Vikings, University of Iowa Hawkeyes and Baltimore Ravens.  While he also played baseball and basketball, he told Decorah Lions Club members recently that football was his first love because "you can hit someone and not get into trouble".

As a senior at the University of Iowa, Van Sloten was voted as one of the team captains by his teammates.  He became more vocal with his teammates, helping the Hawkeyes to rebound from a mediocre season the year before and qualify for another bowl appearance.

Van Sloten was not drafted by a NFL team but signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Ravens.  He found out again that players in the NFL are bigger, faster and stronger and that professional football is a business.  Brett was injured when another player rolled up on his knee and eventually was cut by Baltimore.  He was called for a tryout with Tampa Bay in December, but was told later he was too small.

Playing in the NFL may still be a possibility for the Decorah High School and University of Iowa graduate, but Brett told Decorah LIons Club members that he is now looking to put his college degree to work in the business field.