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==Professional career== |
==Professional career== |
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Sievers was selected by the [[San Diego Chargers]] in the fourth round of the [[1981 NFL draft]] with the 107th overall pick.<ref name=maffei_04291981/> They also drafted tight end [[Pete Holohan]] in the seventh round, who was Sievers' roommate at the [[East–West Shrine Game]], where they became friends.<ref>{{cite news|title=Charger rookie pals, competitors|date=August 23, 1981|newspaper=Auburn Journal|page=B-4|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/auburn-journal/145225053/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> In his first season in [[1981 San Diego Chargers season|1981]], Sievers frequently replaced [[Kellen Winslow]] when the [[All-Pro]] tight end lined up outside. [[United Press International]] named Sievers to their NFL All-Rookie team.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rogers, Taylor head UPI's rookie team|date=December 18, 1981|newspaper=Ventura County Star-Free Press|page=C-6|agency=United Press International|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ventura-county-star/145218665/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> A solid blocker, his best receiving years were in [[1984 San Diego Chargers season|1984]] and [[1985 San Diego Chargers season|1985]], when he posted identical seasons of 41 catches for 438 yards.<ref name=weyler_12231989>{{cite news|first=John|last=Weyler|title=A Role Player’s Dream Season|date=December 23, 1989|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-12-23-sp-595-story.html|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> In 1984, Winslow, Sievers, and Holohan combined for 163 receptions, setting an NFL record for tight ends on a team.<ref>{{cite news|first=Teresa M.|last=Walker|title=Titans' tight ends catch on|date=December 24, 2005|newspaper=The Knoxville News-Sentinel|page=D4|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel/145226822/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> |
Sievers was selected by the [[San Diego Chargers]] in the fourth round of the [[1981 NFL draft]] with the 107th overall pick.<ref name=maffei_04291981/> They also drafted tight end [[Pete Holohan]] in the seventh round, who was Sievers' roommate at the [[East–West Shrine Game]], where they became friends.<ref>{{cite news|title=Charger rookie pals, competitors|date=August 23, 1981|newspaper=Auburn Journal|page=B-4|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/auburn-journal/145225053/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> In his first season in [[1981 San Diego Chargers season|1981]], Sievers frequently replaced [[Kellen Winslow]] when the [[All-Pro]] tight end lined up outside. [[United Press International]] named Sievers to their NFL All-Rookie team.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rogers, Taylor head UPI's rookie team|date=December 18, 1981|newspaper=Ventura County Star-Free Press|page=C-6|agency=United Press International|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ventura-county-star/145218665/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> A solid blocker, his best receiving years with San Diego were in [[1984 San Diego Chargers season|1984]] and [[1985 San Diego Chargers season|1985]], when he posted identical seasons of 41 catches for 438 yards.<ref name=weyler_12231989>{{cite news|first=John|last=Weyler|title=A Role Player’s Dream Season|date=December 23, 1989|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-12-23-sp-595-story.html|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> In 1984, Winslow, Sievers, and Holohan combined for 163 receptions, setting an NFL record for tight ends on a team.<ref>{{cite news|first=Teresa M.|last=Walker|title=Titans' tight ends catch on|date=December 24, 2005|newspaper=The Knoxville News-Sentinel|page=D4|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel/145226822/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> |
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After catching 149 passes through his first five seasons, Sievers was limited by injuries and minimal playing time and had just three catches over the next three seasons.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jay|last=Posner|title=Rams get Sievers on waivers|date=December 8, 1988|newspaper=Times-Advocate|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145224892/ C1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145224914/ C8]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145224892/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref><ref name=dufrense_12081988/> He played in only nine games and had caught just two passes in [[1986 San Diego Chargers season|1986]] while hampered by a [[compression fracture]] in his leg and underwent surgery in the offseason.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jay|last=Posner|title=Chargers' tight end logjam|date=August 2, 1987|newspaper=Times-Advocate|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145218714/ D1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145218738/ D8]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145218714/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> In [[1988 San Diego Chargers season|1988]], he was placed on [[injured reserve]] with a neck injury.<ref name=dufrense_12081988>{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Dufrense|title=Rams Charge Down Freeway Again, Get San Diego’s Sievers|date=December 8, 1988|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-12-08-sp-1610-story.html|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> San Diego tried to activate him by passing him through [[Waivers (NFL)|waivers]], but he was claimed by the [[Los Angeles Rams]],<ref name=dufrense_12081988/> with whom he played one regular-season and one playoff game at the end of [[1988 Los Angeles Rams season|their season]] before becoming a [[Plan B free agent]].<ref name=weyler_12231989/> |
After catching 149 passes through his first five seasons, Sievers was limited by injuries and minimal playing time and had just three catches over the next three seasons.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jay|last=Posner|title=Rams get Sievers on waivers|date=December 8, 1988|newspaper=Times-Advocate|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145224892/ C1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145224914/ C8]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145224892/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref><ref name=dufrense_12081988/> He played in only nine games and had caught just two passes in [[1986 San Diego Chargers season|1986]] while hampered by a [[compression fracture]] in his leg and underwent surgery in the offseason.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jay|last=Posner|title=Chargers' tight end logjam|date=August 2, 1987|newspaper=Times-Advocate|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145218714/ D1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145218738/ D8]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145218714/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> In [[1988 San Diego Chargers season|1988]], he was placed on [[injured reserve]] with a neck injury.<ref name=dufrense_12081988>{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Dufrense|title=Rams Charge Down Freeway Again, Get San Diego’s Sievers|date=December 8, 1988|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-12-08-sp-1610-story.html|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> San Diego tried to activate him by passing him through [[Waivers (NFL)|waivers]], but he was claimed by the [[Los Angeles Rams]],<ref name=dufrense_12081988/> with whom he played one regular-season and one playoff game at the end of [[1988 Los Angeles Rams season|their season]] before becoming a [[Plan B free agent]].<ref name=weyler_12231989/> |
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Sievers signed with the [[New England Patriots]] in [[1989 New England Patriots season|1989]]. Although [[Lin Dawson]] started at tight end, Sievers established career highs |
Sievers signed with the [[New England Patriots]] in [[1989 New England Patriots season|1989]]. Although [[Lin Dawson]] started at tight end, Sievers established career highs that year with 54 receptions for 615 yards.<ref name=pfr/><ref name=weyler_12231989/> In [[1990 New England Patriots season|1990]], he injured his knee on November 4 against [[Philadelphia Eagles|Philadelphia]], and spent the ramined of the year on injured reserve. Sievers ended the season with eight catches for 77 yards in eight games with one start.<ref>{{cite news|first=Armando|last=Salguero|title=Dolphins sign Plan B TE Sievers|date=March 19, 1991|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|page=5C|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post/145228854/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> He signed with the [[Miami Dolphins]] as a Plan B free agent in [[1992 Miami Dolphins season|1992]], but was waived during preseason.<ref>{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Lazzarino|title=Dolphins Get 'B's, but they don't pass test|date=August 28, 1991|newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel|page=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel/145226460/ 1C], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel/145226498/ 8C]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel/145226460/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> |
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==Later years== |
==Later years== |
Revision as of 03:12, 13 April 2024
No. 85 | |||||||||||
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Position: | Tight end | ||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||
Born: | Urbana, Illinois, U.S. | November 9, 1957||||||||||
Died: | April 10, 2024 | (aged 66)||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||
Weight: | 236 lb (107 kg) | ||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||
High school: | Washington-Lee (Arlington, Virginia) | ||||||||||
College: | Maryland | ||||||||||
NFL draft: | 1981 / Round: 4 / Pick: 107 | ||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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Player stats at PFR |
Eric Scott Sievers (November 9, 1957[1] – April 10, 2024) was an American professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the San Diego Chargers. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins before being selected by the Chargers in the fourth round of the 1981 NFL draft. Sievers was named to the NFL All-Rookie team in 1981. He played for ten NFL seasons from 1981 to 1990 for the Chargers, the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots.
Early years and college
Born in Urbana, Illinois,[1] Sievers grew up in Arlington, Virginia.[2] He attended Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, where he earned All-American honors from Parade and Scholastic Magazine as a senior in 1975.[3][4][2] He was inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame in 1997.[2]
At the University of Maryland, College Park, Sievers established himself as a strong blocker, but he did not catch the ball much as the Terrapins did not pass often.[5][6]
Professional career
Sievers was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 1981 NFL draft with the 107th overall pick.[5] They also drafted tight end Pete Holohan in the seventh round, who was Sievers' roommate at the East–West Shrine Game, where they became friends.[7] In his first season in 1981, Sievers frequently replaced Kellen Winslow when the All-Pro tight end lined up outside. United Press International named Sievers to their NFL All-Rookie team.[8] A solid blocker, his best receiving years with San Diego were in 1984 and 1985, when he posted identical seasons of 41 catches for 438 yards.[9] In 1984, Winslow, Sievers, and Holohan combined for 163 receptions, setting an NFL record for tight ends on a team.[10]
After catching 149 passes through his first five seasons, Sievers was limited by injuries and minimal playing time and had just three catches over the next three seasons.[11][12] He played in only nine games and had caught just two passes in 1986 while hampered by a compression fracture in his leg and underwent surgery in the offseason.[13] In 1988, he was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury.[12] San Diego tried to activate him by passing him through waivers, but he was claimed by the Los Angeles Rams,[12] with whom he played one regular-season and one playoff game at the end of their season before becoming a Plan B free agent.[9]
Sievers signed with the New England Patriots in 1989. Although Lin Dawson started at tight end, Sievers established career highs that year with 54 receptions for 615 yards.[1][9] In 1990, he injured his knee on November 4 against Philadelphia, and spent the ramined of the year on injured reserve. Sievers ended the season with eight catches for 77 yards in eight games with one start.[14] He signed with the Miami Dolphins as a Plan B free agent in 1992, but was waived during preseason.[15]
Later years
In 1994, Sievers partnered with host Charlie Jones on Chargers: Monday Night Live, a weekly Monday Night Football postgame show on KGTV Channel 10 in San Diego.[16]
Sievers died from cancer on April 10, 2024, at the age of 66.[17]
References
- ^ a b c "Eric Sievers Stats". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c Sanders, Rich (August 7, 2012). "Top 100: Eric Sievers, Washington-Lee, Football, 1976". Connection Newspapers. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ "Two Virginians on Parade A-A". Richmond Times-Dispatch. December 28, 1975. p. E9. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Wilson, Gupton Honored Again". Daily Press. January 18, 1976. p. D3. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Maffei, John (April 29, 1981). "Script reads defense, but Chargers go offense". Times-Advocate. pp. D1, D4. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Granberry, Mike (April 29, 1981). "Chargers Stick With Their Offsensive Game Plan". Los Angeles Times. Part III, pp. 1, 12. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Charger rookie pals, competitors". Auburn Journal. August 23, 1981. p. B-4. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Rogers, Taylor head UPI's rookie team". Ventura County Star-Free Press. United Press International. December 18, 1981. p. C-6. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Weyler, John (December 23, 1989). "A Role Player's Dream Season". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ Walker, Teresa M. (December 24, 2005). "Titans' tight ends catch on". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. Associated Press. p. D4. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Posner, Jay (December 8, 1988). "Rams get Sievers on waivers". Times-Advocate. pp. C1, C8. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Dufrense, Chris (December 8, 1988). "Rams Charge Down Freeway Again, Get San Diego's Sievers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ Posner, Jay (August 2, 1987). "Chargers' tight end logjam". Times-Advocate. pp. D1, D8. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Salguero, Armando (March 19, 1991). "Dolphins sign Plan B TE Sievers". The Palm Beach Post. p. 5C. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Lazzarino, Chris (August 28, 1991). "Dolphins Get 'B's, but they don't pass test". South Florida Sun Sentinel. p. 1C, 8C. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Maffei, John (September 23, 1994). "Jones lends Monday show a deft touch". The North County Blade-Citizen. p. C-3. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Chargers News: Beloved Former San Diego-Era TE Dies Of Cancer". Si. April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.