Jeff Siemon, a four-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker who remains third all-time in career tackles for the Vikings, died Saturday, the team reported on its web site. He was 75.
The No. 10 overall pick out of Stanford in the 1972 NFL Draft, Siemon patrolled the middle for the Purple People Eaters defense for 11 seasons. As part of Minnesota’s 50th season celebration in 2010, he was named one of the 50 Greatest Vikings.
A 1977 photo of Minnesota Vikins Jeff Siemon. (AP Photo)
Siemon had one of four Vikings interceptions in the 1973 NFC Championship in Dallas. The Vikings beat the Roger Staubach-led Cowboys 27-10 for the team’s first postseason road win and advanced to the Super Bowl.
Bobby Bryant, another member of the 50 Greatest Vikings who picked off Staubach in that game, played with Siemon for nine seasons.
“Jeff was a great teammate — a leader for us on the field and a really good linebacker. He was key to our teams,” Bryant told Vikings.com. “As good of a player that Jeff was, he was a better person — truly one of the best guys we had. You never heard anyone speak cross of Jeff. His faith was his guide, and he was not afraid to share it with people. He touched so many.”
Forty-three years after retiring, Siemon still ranks third all-time in team history in career tackles with 1,375, behind only Scott Studwell (1,928) and Matt Blair (1,404)..
Siemon was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time following the 1973 season and earned three consecutive nods from 1975-77. He also started in three Super Bowls for the Vikings following the 1973, 1974 and 1976 seasons.
Born in Rochester, Minn., Siemon was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
Former Vikings receiver and teammate Ahmad Rashad played with Siemon for seven seasons. “His work ethic was absolutely tremendous,” former Vikings Rashad told Vikings.com. “And above it all, he is one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet.”