Jeff Siemon, a former college football and NFL star, has passed away. He was 75 years old.
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The Minnesota Vikings and Stanford Cardinal both issued statements about Siemon's passing on Saturday. Neither provided a cause of death.
"Jeff Siemon embodied everything we celebrate in the NFF College Football Hall of Fame," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning in a release.
"He was the anchor of a Stanford defense that rose to the occasion on the biggest stages, and his leadership helped deliver some of the most memorable victories in school history, including two Rose Bowl victories. His impact extended far beyond the field, and he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time of loss."
A Minnesota native, Siemon attended Stanford and showcased his ability as a defender. He earned All-Pac-Eight honors in both 1970 and 1971, his final two seasons at the university. He also became First Team All-American in 1971.
The prolific tackler played a key role in Stanford posting consecutive nine-win seasons in 1970 and 1971. The Cardinal reached the Rose Bowl both seasons and defeated favored juggernauts. The team knocked off Ohio State in 1970 and then defeated Michigan the following season.
The #Vikings are mourning the passing of Jeff Siemon.
Siemon, a 1st-round pick in 1972, was a 4-time Pro Bowler and was named one of the 50 Greatest Vikings in 2010.
📰: https://t.co/bta3QO0Hy3 pic.twitter.com/Rguqr6XeT6
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 28, 2026
The Minnesota Vikings selected Siemon with the 10th overall pick in the 1972 NFL Draft and brought him back to his home state. This kicked off an 11-year tenure in which the big linebacker continued to make plays.
Siemon appeared in 156 games while starting 124, and he made an impact in multiple ways. He intercepted 11 passes, forced two fumbles, posted seven sacks, and earned four trips to the Pro Bowl. The Vikings say that No. 50 ranks third all-time in team history with 1,375 tackles. He trails only Scott Studwell (1,928) and Matt Blair (1,404).
Siemon, one of the 50 Greatest Vikings, helped the team reach Super Bowl 8, Super Bowl 9, and Super Bowl 11. He particularly contributed with back-to-back games with turnovers during the playoffs leading up to Super Bowl 8. This includes an interception against Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach in the NFC championship game.
"Jeff was a great teammate — a leader for us on the field and a really good linebacker. He was key to our teams," former teammate Bobby Bryant said, per the Vikings website.
"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."
