Steve Heiden
Encyclopedia
Steve Allen Heiden is an American football
tight end
who is currently a free agent
in the National Football League
.
for South Dakota State University
and totaled 112 receptions for 1,499 yards (13.4 avg.) and 8 touchdowns. He majored in early childhood education at South Dakota State University.
in the third round (69th overall) in the 1999 NFL Draft
. In his rookie year he made 11 appearances for the Chargers and made his NFL debut versus the Seattle Seahawks
on October 17.
In his second season with the Chargers, he made 15 appearances with three starts. He also caught his first NFL touchdown in a game versus the Carolina Panthers
on December 17.
For the first time in his professional career, Heiden appeared in all 16 regular season and made ten starts.
. He again appeared in all 16 regular season games and made his Browns debut versus the Kansas City Chiefs
on September 8.
In 2003, despite missing the final seven league games because of an ankle injury, Heiden had a career high season with 18 receptions for 134 yards.
2004 was an excellent season for Heiden with 28 receptions for 287 yards and five touchdowns, his three touchdowns in the game at the Cincinnati Bengals
on November 28 were a career high.
The following season in 2005 was equally as productive for Heiden who surpassed his previous seasons catch and yardage totals. He made 43 receptions for 401 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2006, he made 16 appearances with six starts. His numbers for the season were good with 36 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns. On April 14, 2007, Heiden was signed to a four-year contract extension by the Browns. On November 18, 2009 the Browns placed Heiden on injured reserve
with an ankle injury after the Monday Night Football
game.
Besides kicker Phil Dawson
, Heiden has played for the Browns longer than any other player on the team.
On March 12, 2010, Heiden was released by the Browns.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
College career
Heiden played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University is the largest university in the U.S. state of South Dakota, located in Brookings. A public land-grant university and sun grant college, founded under the provisions of the 1862 Morrill Act, SDSU offers programs of study required by, or harmonious to, this Act...
and totaled 112 receptions for 1,499 yards (13.4 avg.) and 8 touchdowns. He majored in early childhood education at South Dakota State University.
San Diego Chargers
Heiden was selected by the San Diego ChargersSan Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the third round (69th overall) in the 1999 NFL Draft
1999 NFL Draft
The 1999 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 17-18, 1999...
. In his rookie year he made 11 appearances for the Chargers and made his NFL debut versus the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
on October 17.
In his second season with the Chargers, he made 15 appearances with three starts. He also caught his first NFL touchdown in a game versus the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
on December 17.
For the first time in his professional career, Heiden appeared in all 16 regular season and made ten starts.
Cleveland Browns
On August 31, 2002, San Diego traded Heiden to the Cleveland BrownsCleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He again appeared in all 16 regular season games and made his Browns debut versus the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
on September 8.
In 2003, despite missing the final seven league games because of an ankle injury, Heiden had a career high season with 18 receptions for 134 yards.
2004 was an excellent season for Heiden with 28 receptions for 287 yards and five touchdowns, his three touchdowns in the game at the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
on November 28 were a career high.
The following season in 2005 was equally as productive for Heiden who surpassed his previous seasons catch and yardage totals. He made 43 receptions for 401 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2006, he made 16 appearances with six starts. His numbers for the season were good with 36 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns. On April 14, 2007, Heiden was signed to a four-year contract extension by the Browns. On November 18, 2009 the Browns placed Heiden on injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
with an ankle injury after the Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
game.
Besides kicker Phil Dawson
Phil Dawson
Philip Drury Dawson is an American football placekicker for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League. He holds the franchise record for most field goals made, passing Hall of Famer Lou Groza in 2010...
, Heiden has played for the Browns longer than any other player on the team.
On March 12, 2010, Heiden was released by the Browns.