Missouri State to Retire Jersey of Football Great Dennis Heim
August 01, 2026 | Football
SPRINGFIELD -- A jersey retirement ceremony for former Bears football great Dennis Heim is in store for the upcoming season, Missouri State Director of Athletics Patrick Ransdell announced Saturday evening at the university's annual Sneaker Soiree fundraising event.
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From 1974 through 1977, Heim had a playing career unparalleled by few defensive linemen in program history. He recorded 338 total tackles in 42 games in that span, including a team-high 133 stops in his senior season. Heim is also the program's all-time leader in sacks with 41 quarterback stops in his tenure, including another club record 16 during his junior season.
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A native of Monett, Mo., Heim was a three-time All-MIAA selection and served as co-captain for the 1977 squad. He was drafted by the NFL's New York Giants in 1978 and spent two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League before returning to the NFL in 1980 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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A specific game for Heim's jersey retirement ceremony will be finalized at a later date.
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Heim is the fifth person in Missouri State football history to be honored with a retired jersey, joining long-time coaches Arthur Briggs (1912-33) and Rich Johanningmeier (1976-85) and standout players Ray Haley (1947-51) and DeAndre Smith (1987-90). Johanningmeier was also a standout player for the Bears from 1960-63.
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From 1974 through 1977, Heim had a playing career unparalleled by few defensive linemen in program history. He recorded 338 total tackles in 42 games in that span, including a team-high 133 stops in his senior season. Heim is also the program's all-time leader in sacks with 41 quarterback stops in his tenure, including another club record 16 during his junior season.
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A native of Monett, Mo., Heim was a three-time All-MIAA selection and served as co-captain for the 1977 squad. He was drafted by the NFL's New York Giants in 1978 and spent two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League before returning to the NFL in 1980 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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A specific game for Heim's jersey retirement ceremony will be finalized at a later date.
Â
Heim is the fifth person in Missouri State football history to be honored with a retired jersey, joining long-time coaches Arthur Briggs (1912-33) and Rich Johanningmeier (1976-85) and standout players Ray Haley (1947-51) and DeAndre Smith (1987-90). Johanningmeier was also a standout player for the Bears from 1960-63.
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