Husky Legend: Jeff Jaeger
Tanner Kay
11/1/2019
Growing up in Seattle, Jeff Jaeger was always a fan of the Huskies. From the time he was a kid, he knew he wanted to wear the Purple and Gold. So, when Jaeger got the chance to walk-on and compete for the starting kicker job, he jumped on the opportunity.
“I was born and raised in the Seattle area and I wanted to go to UW regardless of football,” Jaeger said. “I was a walk-on and it was just the right place for me. I always wanted to be a Husky.”
Jaeger arrived on campus in 1983 and started every game as a true freshman. Jaeger made 20 field goals and 27 extra points, helping the Huskies to an 8-4 record.
Starting as a true freshman can put a lot of pressure on a player, and for a walk-on kicker that pressure could be overwhelming at times. But Jaeger had a lot of support from the team, especially from quarterback Steve Pelluer.
“He was a senior when I was a freshman and he held for me,” Jaeger recalled. “I remember going out there a few times where my mind was just racing. ‘You are a true freshman going from playing in front of hundreds of people to playing in front of thousands of people.’ I can remember a few times where I was awestruck and he was down there telling me to have some fun.
“I was just trying not to pass out and he was having a grand old time,” Jaeger laughed. “I would definitely say he had the biggest calming effect on me.”
In his sophomore campaign, Jaeger improved on his impressive freshman year making 22 field goals and 30 extra points. As a team the Huskies put together a memorable year going 11-1 and finishing with a victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. That game is one that really stands out to Jaeger.
“My sophomore year when we beat Oklahoma, that was probably the highlight of the games that I played in when I was a Husky,” he said.
As a junior, Jaeger converted 100 percent of his extra points and made an impressive 87.5 percent of his field goal attempts. The Huskies finished the 1985 season with seven wins, and a victory over Colorado in the Freedom Bowl.
In his final season as a Husky, Jaeger again made 22 field goals, and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American. UW finished Jaeger’s senior season with 8 wins and ranked 18th in the AP Poll.
By the time Jaeger left UW, he had written his name all over the record books. He accumulated a UW school record 358 point and set a NCAA record for most career field goals with 80, a mark that still ranks 10th all-time. Jaeger also still holds the UW record for most field goals in a single game with five against Houston during the 1985 season.
Even with all his on-the-field success, the relationships Jaeger developed while at UW are the things that stand out the most.
Looking back, some of my favorite memories, are with Thane Cleland. He was our punter and I roomed with him on the road. I can remember we’d go down to our meetings and head back up to our room and watch Miami Vice. It’s just the relationships and people that you get to meet. Football wise, you can’t do that forever, but you are always going to have those memories of the people you got to meet and be around.Jeff Jaeger
After graduating from UW, Jaeger was selected in the third round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. Throughout his 12-year NFL career in which he played for the Browns, Raiders and Bears, Jaeger accumulated 1,008 career points, converting 74 percent of his career field goals, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1992.
Since his retirement from football, Jaeger has stayed busy.
“After playing football you settle into a second career, and I’ve done that,” Jaeger said. “I’ve been married for 28 years, and we have two daughters, Brooke and Lexi. I’ve been working in residential real estate for the last 18 years now. So, that's kind of my thing and obviously whenever I can I watch the Huskies and get out and golf when I can as well.”
A longtime Husky fan, Jaeger has watched UW legends be honored at Husky games for years. So, when he learned it was his turn to be recognized he was thrilled.
“It was really cool. Being born and raised here, I always wanted to be a Husky, and I’m still a huge fan,” Jaeger explained.
“It’ll be a lot of fun. I definitely love when you go to games and see those guys come out at the end of the third quarter, it’s a neat thing. I am very honored to be able to get the chance to do that.”
Looking back on his time at UW now, Jaeger has nothing but fond memories.
“I’m 54 now and it’s one of those things that you look back on and smile,” Jaeger said. “It was definitely a great time in my life, that’s for sure. Getting to play for Coach Don James and getting to play in a lot of big games was great. I got to travel around and do all kinds of pretty cool things that I never would have gotten to do without football. I was very lucky to get to do it, that’s for sure.”
Now, nearly four decades after donning the purple and gold, Jaeger will return home to Husky Stadium. He will walk once again walk on the field he once dreamed of, but now he can look back and know that dream has been realized.