SPORTS LEGEND
Jeff Siemon BHS alum was a four-time All-Pro, playing in three Super Bowls for the Vikings
Jeff Siemon facts Born June 2, 1950 in Rochester, Minnesota Family moved to Bakersfield when he was two years old. Football, basketball, and baseball star at Bakersfield High, where he earned a total of eight varsity letters.
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Bakersfield Life
January 2012
Photo courtesy of the Minneapolis Star Tribune
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By Stephen Lynch Starting at Bakersfield High in the late 1960s and all through his college and the NFL playing days, Jeff Siemon was seemingly always in the right place at the right time to make a big play from his linebacker position. It wasn’t just coincidence though. Possessing what Hall of Fame college coach John Ralston once called a “unique sixth sense,” Siemon had the uncanny ability to know exactly where opposing ball carriers were headed. And most of the time, he would get there and tackle them before they could gain much yardage. That skill earned Siemon a slew of accolades during and after his playing career. An intelligent and tenacious force on the gridiron, Siemon helped his high school, college, and pro teams all achieve immense success. During the seven-year span between 1971 and 1977, Siemon started in two Rose Bowls and three Super Bowls. By the time he retired from the NFL in 1982, he had put together a career worthy of Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration. And while that honor will likely never be bestowed upon him, he will forever be remembered as one of the greatest football players ever to hail from Bakersfield. A devoutly religious man, Siemon remains active in several Christian organizations. Passionate and articulate, he frequently travels from his current home in Edina, Minnesota to make speeches on their behalf.
Jeff Siemon tackles Los Angeles Ram running back Cullen Bryant during the 1974-75 NFC Championship game at Metropolitan Stadium, Dec. 29, 1974. Three-year starter (1965-1967) for the BHS football team. Played linebacker, quarterback, tight end, and center for legendary Drillers' coach Paul Briggs.
Never missed a game during 11-year NFL career.
Named First Team All-Pac-8 following junior and senior seasons at Stanford University.
Holds the Vikings record for solo combined tackles in a season with 170 in 1978.
Posted 112 tackles and two interceptions en route to winning the Silver Anniversary Dick Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and Pop Warner Award given to the top senior on the west coast in 1971.
Ranks third in Vikings history in total tackles with 1,382.
Led Stanford to back to back Rose Bowl victories in 1971 and 1972 . Graduated in 1972 from Stanford with a B.A. in history. Was selected in the first round (10th overall) NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Played in three Super Bowls (VIII, IX, XI) and
four Pro Bowls (1973, 1975-77).
Awarded Vineland Trophy as Kern County’s outstanding sports personality in 1973. Completed a Master’s degree in Christian Apologetics from Simon Greenleaf School of Law in 1984. Inducted into the Bob Elias Hall of Fame (1976), College Football Hall of Fame (2007), and Driller Football Hall of Fame (2007). Was a passenger in a plane crash near Crystal, Minnesota in 1981 that killed the pilot and left the co-pilot in critical condition.