Eric Sievers

Born in Urbana, Illinois, on November 9, 1957,{{Cite pro-football-reference|name=Eric Sievers|id=S/SievEr00|access-date=April 12, 2024}} Sievers grew up in Arlington, Virginia. He attended Washington-Lee High School (now Washington-Liberty High School) in Arlington, where he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track. As a senior in 1975, Sievers earned All-American honors in football from Parade and Scholastic Magazine.{{cite news|title=Two Virginians on Parade A-A|date=December 28, 1975|newspaper=Richmond Times-Dispatch|page=E9|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch/145237647/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2024|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508150155/https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch/145237647/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Wilson, Gupton Honored Again|date=January 18, 1976|newspaper=Daily Press|page=D3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press/145238132/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2024|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508145719/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press/145238132/|url-status=live}} He was inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame in 1997.{{cite news|first=Rich|last=Sanders|title=Top 100: Eric Sievers, Washington-Lee, Football, 1976|date=August 7, 2012|publisher=Connection Newspapers|url=http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2012/aug/07/top-100-eric-sievers-washington-lee-football-1976/|access-date=April 12, 2024|archive-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023014808/http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2012/aug/07/top-100-eric-sievers-washington-lee-football-1976/|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news|first=John|last=Maffei|title=Script reads defense, but Chargers go offense|date=April 29, 1981|newspaper=Times-Advocate|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145218594/ D1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145218584/ D4]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145218594/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2024|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508150404/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145218594/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Mike|last=Granberry|title=Chargers Stick With Their Offensive Game Plan|date=April 29, 1981|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|at=Part III, pp. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/145230134/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/145230051/ 12]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/145230134/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2024|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508145710/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/145230134/|url-status=live}}

Sievers was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 1981 NFL draft with the 107th overall pick. They also drafted tight end Pete Holohan in the seventh round, who was Sievers's roommate at the East–West Shrine Game, where they became friends.{{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|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508145725/https://www.newspapers.com/article/auburn-journal/145225053/|url-status=live}} In his first season in 1981, Sievers started 10 games while frequently replacing Kellen Winslow when the All-Pro tight end lined up outside as a wingback.{{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|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508145851/https://www.newspapers.com/article/ventura-county-star/145218665/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Wayne|last=Lockwood|title=Chargers Show Draws Varied 'Reviews'|date=September 9, 1981|newspaper=The San Diego Union|page=C-2|url=https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2:136E6A0F0DF56B38@NGPA-CASD-13CEFB2121E45426@2444857-13CAAA2485EAF554@35-13CAAA2485EAF554@|url-access=subscription|via=NewsBank|access-date=April 13, 2024|quote=Pick 4B Eric Sievers started and played the entire game at tight end. Real tight end, that is, not the wingback position of Kellen Winslow.|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508202328/https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/sign-in-choices?url=https%253A%252F%252Fsandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com%252Fdoc%252Fimage%252Fv2%253A136E6A0F0DF56B38%2540NGPA-CASD-13CEFB2121E45426%25402444857-13CAAA2485EAF554%254035-13CAAA2485EAF554%2540|url-status=live}} United Press International named Sievers to their NFL All-Rookie team. In the postseason, the Chargers won their American Football Conference (AFC) divisional playoff game 41–38 in overtime over Miami.{{cite news|first=Dan|last=Weinberg|title=One of the greatest|website=ESPN.com|url=http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Dolphins_Chargers_1981.html|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=September 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927170432/http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Dolphins_Chargers_1981.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Popper|title=NFL 100: At 82, Kellen Winslow, the prototype for the modern tight end|date=July 17, 2021|work=The Athletic|url=https://theathletic.com/2703102/2021/07/17/nfl-100-at-82-kellen-winslow-the-prototype-for-the-modern-tight-end/|url-access=subscription|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=January 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117192558/https://theathletic.com/2703102/2021/07/17/nfl-100-at-82-kellen-winslow-the-prototype-for-the-modern-tight-end/|url-status=live}} A four-hour contest played under hot and humid conditions,{{cite magazine|first=Rick|last=Reilly|title=A MATTER OF LIFE AND SUDDEN DEATH THE 1982 PLAYOFF BETWEEN THE CHARGERS AND DOLPHINS WASN'T JUST A FOOTBALL GAME AND WASN'T A WAR, EXACTLY, BUT IT DID CHANGE A FEW PEOPLE'S LIVES|date=October 25, 1999|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1999/10/25/a-matter-of-life-and-sudden-death-the-1982-playoff-between-the-chargers-and-dolphins-wasnt-just-a-football-game-and-wasnt-a-war-exactly-but-it-did-change-a-few-peoples-lives|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=November 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108004326/https://vault.si.com/vault/1999/10/25/a-matter-of-life-and-sudden-death-the-1982-playoff-between-the-chargers-and-dolphins-wasnt-just-a-football-game-and-wasnt-a-war-exactly-but-it-did-change-a-few-peoples-lives|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Miami, San Diego Go At It Again|date=January 10, 1993|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1993/01/10/miami-san-diego-go-at-it-again/|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508145657/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1993/01/10/miami-san-diego-go-at-it-again/|url-status=live}} the game came to be known as the Epic in Miami and voted by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the "NFL's Game of the '80s". The enduring image of the game is an exhausted Winslow, who had 13 catches for 166 yards and blocked a game-winning field goal attempt at the end of regulation, being carried off the field after the game by Sievers and teammate Billy Shields.{{cite web|first=Elliot|last=Harrison|title=Playing Through the Pain|website=NFL.com|url=https://www.nfl.com/photos/playing-through-the-pain-09000d5d8226c082|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508145656/https://www.nfl.com/photos/playing-through-the-pain-09000d5d8226c082|url-status=live}} The Chargers fell one game short of the Super Bowl, losing the following week's AFC Championship Game 27–7 to Cincinnati in the coldest playoff game in NFL history at {{convert|-59|F|C}} wind chill, dubbed the "Freezer Bowl".{{cite journal|first=Ed|last=Gruver|title=Getting A Charge Out of the Postseason|year=2005|volume=27|issue=3|journal=The Coffin Corner|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/27-03-1069.pdf|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=April 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417200350/http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/27-03-1069.pdf|url-status=live}}

A solid blocker, Sievers was an integral part of Air Coryell, San Diego head coach Don Coryell's wide-open passing attack with quarterback Dan Fouts.{{cite news|first=Nick|last=Canepa|title=LT's allegations that OC threw playoff game still resonate in San Diego|date=April 13, 2024|newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sports-columnists/story/2024-04-13/nick-canepa-lts-allegations-that-oc-threw-playoff-game-still-resonate-in-san-diego|access-date=April 14, 2024|archive-date=April 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414060749/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sports-columnists/story/2024-04-13/nick-canepa-lts-allegations-that-oc-threw-playoff-game-still-resonate-in-san-diego|url-status=live}} His best receiving years with the Chargers were in 1984 and 1985, when he posted identical seasons of 41 catches for 438 yards.{{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|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508145659/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-12-23-sp-595-story.html|url-status=live}} In 1984, Sievers, Holohan, and Winslow contributed to the Chargers' 164 receptions by the tight end position, setting an NFL single-season record for tight ends on a team.{{efn|Holohan (56 catches), Winslow (55) and Sievers (41) combined for 152 receptions.{{cite web|title=1984 San Diego Chargers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees|work=Pro Football Reference|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sdg/1984.htm|access-date=April 18, 2024|archive-date=November 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130160505/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sdg/1984.htm|url-status=live}} Ron Egloff had 11, and Drew Gissinger, normally a tackle, had 1 playing tight end.{{cite news|first=John|last=Maffei|title=Receptions record within Joiner's grasp|date=November 12, 1984|newspaper=Times-Advocate|page=C3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145644882/|access-date=April 18, 2024|via=Newspapers.com|quote=The injuries forced Drew Gissinger — normally a tackle — to play tight end for the second week in a row, and this week had a catch for three yards.|archive-date=April 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419062047/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145644882/|url-status=live}} The Associated Press wrote in 2005 that the 1984 Chargers' tight ends had 163 catches.}}{{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|archive-date=April 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418012227/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel/145226822/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Clark|last=Judge|title=Facelift for Chargers|date=September 3, 1985|newspaper=Evening Tribune|page=Football-4|url=https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2:136E6CB81C5E443C@NGPA-CASD-1738E4639FD42B27@2446312-17377139E9828162@67-17377139E9828162@?search_terms=|url-access=subscription|via=NewsBank|access-date=April 13, 2024|quote=In all, 164 passes for 1,930 yards and six touchdown were caught by the tight end position.|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508202328/https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/sign-in-choices?url=https%253A%252F%252Fsandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com%252Fdoc%252Fimage%252Fv2%253A136E6CB81C5E443C%2540NGPA-CASD-1738E4639FD42B27%25402446312-17377139E9828162%254067-17377139E9828162%2540%253Fsearch_terms%253D|url-status=live}} Sievers began the 1985 season with 30 receptions and five touchdowns in the first seven games, but had just 11 catches for one score in the final nine games after Winslow returned from his injury coupled with the offense's shift to get Lionel James and Gary Anderson more involved.{{cite book|editor-first1=Rick|editor-last1=Smith|title=San Diego Chargers 1987 Media Guide|publisher=San Diego Chargers|year=1987|pages=58, 59|url=https://archive.org/details/chargers-1987-media-guide-san-diego-c/page/58/mode/1up|via=Internet Archive|access-date=April 13, 2024}}{{cite news|first=Jerry|last=Magee|title=Zampese still a key for revamped Chargers|date=December 25, 1985|newspaper=The San Diego Union|pages=[https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2:136E6A0F0DF56B38@NGPA-CASD-173BAAE276293B55@2446425-173B76D16C002F62@68-173B76D16C002F62@ E-1], [https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2:136E6A0F0DF56B38@NGPA-CASD-173BAAE276293B55@2446425-173B76D21ECE75D6@70 E-3]|url=https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2:136E6A0F0DF56B38@NGPA-CASD-173BAAE276293B55@2446425-173B76D16C002F62@68-173B76D16C002F62@|url-access=subscription|via=NewsBank|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508202340/https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/sign-in-choices?url=https%253A%252F%252Fsandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com%252Fdoc%252Fimage%252Fv2%253A136E6A0F0DF56B38%2540NGPA-CASD-173BAAE276293B55%25402446425-173B76D16C002F62%254068-173B76D16C002F62%2540|url-status=live}}

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.{{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|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508145759/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145224892/|url-status=live}} He played in only nine games and caught just two passes in 1986 while hampered by a compression fracture in his leg and underwent surgery in the offseason.{{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|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508145705/https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-advocate/145218714/|url-status=live}} In 1988, he was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury.{{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|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508145658/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-12-08-sp-1610-story.html|url-status=live}} According to Sievers, his injury was not severe enough to warrant the move. "It gave them an opening to bring in the people they really wanted to have", he said.{{cite news|first=T.J.|last=Simers|title=Chargers lose Sievers to Rams via waivers|date=December 8, 1988|newspaper=The San Diego Union|pages=[https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2:136E6A0F0DF56B38@NGPA-CASD-17551C6D612E3176@2447504-175519A0B69CDD27@46-175519A0B69CDD27@ C-1], [https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2:136E6A0F0DF56B38@NGPA-CASD-17551C6D612E3176@2447504-1754C78CABD33C5C@55 C-8]|url=https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2:136E6A0F0DF56B38@NGPA-CASD-17551C6D612E3176@2447504-175519A0B69CDD27@46-175519A0B69CDD27@|url-access=subscription|via=NewsBank|access-date=April 13, 2024|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508202357/https://sandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com/sign-in-choices?url=https%253A%252F%252Fsandiegouniontribune.newsbank.com%252Fdoc%252Fimage%252Fv2%253A136E6A0F0DF56B38%2540NGPA-CASD-17551C6D612E3176%25402447504-175519A0B69CDD27%254046-175519A0B69CDD27%2540|url-status=live}} San Diego tried to activate him by passing him through waivers, but he was claimed by the Los Angeles Rams. He had been the second-longest tenured player on the Chargers roster behind Don Macek. He played one regular-season and one playoff game at the end of the Rams' season before becoming a Plan B free agent.

Sievers signed with the New England Patriots in 1989. Although Lin Dawson started at tight end, Sievers led all AFC tight ends that year with 54 receptions for 615 yards, both career highs. In 1990, he injured his knee on November 4 against Philadelphia, and spent the remainder of the year on injured reserve. Sievers ended the season with eight catches for 77 yards in eight games with one start.{{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|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508145946/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post/145228854/|url-status=live}} He signed with the Miami Dolphins as a Plan B free agent in 1991, but was waived during preseason.{{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|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508202654/https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel/145226460/|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news|first=John|last=Maffei|title=Jones lends Monday show a deft touch|date=September 23, 1994|newspaper=The North County Blade-Citizen|page=C-3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-county-times/145227260/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 12, 2024|archive-date=May 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508150502/https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-county-times/145227260/|url-status=live}}

After a six-year battle with bladder cancer, Sievers died on April 10, 2024, at the age of 66.{{cite news|first=Dave|last=Facinoli|title=W-L graduate remembered as much more than just a star athlete|date=April 14, 2024|work=GazetteLeader|url=https://www.gazetteleader.com/arlington/sports/w-l-graduate-remembered-as-much-more-than-just-a-star-athlete-8597379|access-date=April 14, 2024|archive-date=April 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415120840/https://www.gazetteleader.com/arlington/sports/w-l-graduate-remembered-as-much-more-than-just-a-star-athlete-8597379|url-status=live}}{{cite news |first=Alex |last=Kirschenbaum |title=Chargers News: Beloved Former San Diego-Era TE Dies Of Cancer |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/chargers/news/beloved-former-san-diego-era-te-dies-of-cancer-ak1987 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=April 11, 2024 |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508202713/https://www.si.com/nfl/chargers/news/beloved-former-san-diego-era-te-dies-of-cancer-ak1987 |url-status=live}}

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Category:1957 births

Category:2024 deaths

Category:Players of American football from Virginia

Category:People from Urbana, Illinois

Category:American football tight ends

Category:Maryland Terrapins football players

Category:San Diego Chargers players

Category:Los Angeles Rams players

Category:New England Patriots players

Category:Washington-Liberty High School alumni

Category:Deaths from bladder cancer in the United States