Sievers from 63: Iowa Time Machine October 10, 1997

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On October 10, 1997, Ankeny High School Kicker Todd Sievers hit a 63-yard field goal, setting the state record. A state champion at Ankeny, Sievers went on to win a national championship at Miami before embarking on a professional career in the NFL and Arena Football League.

Sievers started playing football as a freshman at Ankeny High after favoring soccer in his youth. Over his high school career, Sievers developed into a weapon: during his sophomore season, he hit a 40-yard field goal and led legendary Iowa high school football coaching wins leader Jerry Pezzetti to say, “He can turn a game, whether it’s a kickoff, a field goal, an extra point, or a punt.”

During his senior season, Sievers hit 53 or 54 extra points and averaged 38 yards a punt. Ankeny went on to win the 1997 4-A state title, with Sievers knocking in a 26-yard field goal in the state final. Sievers went on to play for the Miami Hurricanes, where he earned All-American honors in 2001 and made the All-Big East. In 2001, Sievers again found himself kicking on the championship stage when he knocked in a field goal against Nebraska in the Rose Bowl as part of a 37-14 Miami win that captured the national championship.

After college, Sievers signed as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans. He additionally played for the Austin Wranglers and Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League before retiring from football in 2007. #Iowa #OTD #History #Football #Kicking