Dennis Havig

Dennis Eugene Havig (born May 6, 1949) is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Colorado Buffaloes, he was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the eighth round of the 1971 NFL draft. He later played for the Houston Oilers and Green Bay Packers.

Early life Havig was born on May 6, 1949, in Powell, Wyoming. He played three sports – football, basketball and track and field – and earned 10 varsity letters. In football, he was a fullback and linebacker; he was named all-state at both positions and was given the honor by Associated Press in consecutive years. He also twice was selected all-state as a center in basketball and served as co-captain in both sports as a senior. and was named to the high school All-American team by the magazine Coach and Athletics.

College career Havig played for the Colorado freshman team in 1967. He lettered and became a starter at guard for the Buffaloes mid-season in 1968, helping them have a record of 4–6 that year. He retained his starting role as a junior in 1969 and helped them have a record of 8–3 while winning the Liberty Bowl over the Alabama Crimson Tide. Colorado reached the Liberty Bowl again in the 1970 season, Havig's senior year, with a 6–5 record. He was chosen first-team All-Big Eight Conference that year, second-team All-American, and was also invited to the Senior Bowl and to the East–West Shrine Bowl. Havig finished his collegiate career having been a three-year starter while earning three varsity letters. He did not make the team's final roster that year but stayed on their taxi squad. He was named the Falcons' full-time starter in 1972 before even having seen any playing time. He ended up starting all 14 games that year and helped Atlanta finish with a record of 7–7, being named to the NFL's All-Rookie team and being chosen the team's rookie of the year. He then appeared in 14 games, 13 starts, in the 1973 season, repeated those totals in the 1974 season, and started all 13 games in which he appeared for the Falcons in 1975. He played all 14 games for the Oilers that year, none as a starter. The following month, he was signed by the Green Bay Packers. He appeared in seven games for the team that year, between six and seven as a starter. Havig finished his eight-season NFL career with 76 games played, 58 or 59 as a starter. He earned a real estate license during his NFL career and later went into the insurance business at the suggestion of Falcons quarterback Pat Sullivan.