JOE HAEG HAS ENJOYED A LONG NFL CAREER

Joe Haeg said he has been blessed to have a lengthy NFL career. And now he’s ”paying back” the community where his football career started.

Haeg, an offensive lineman who played with NFL teams over seven seasons, attended Nisswa Elementary School and eventually Brainerd High School, where he graduated in 2011.

Haeg graduated from North Dakota State University where he won five FCS National Championships from 2011-2015. He was then drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2016 draft.

After three years with the Colts, Haeg signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won a Super Bowl title in 2020. He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 and with the Cleveland Browns in 2022. He was released by the Browns in the summer of 2023.

“I’m currently a free agent,” the 30-year-old Haeg said in November. “I’ve had (NFL) teams show interest, but I’m waiting for the right fit if that comes available. I’m looking for the right opportunity for myself and my family.”

In the meantime, Haeg has been participating in activities back in the Brainerd lakes area. He plans to host his third annual golf tournament in the summer of 2024, which is part of his Game Winning Drive charity that benefits the Brainerd High School football program.

“The golf tourney has been great to raise money for the (BHS) football program,” Haeg said. “My passion is to find ways to give back to the community. I was also a celebrity judge for the Nisswa Turtle Races last year.”

As for his next career, Haeg admits he’s not sure what it will be.

“I went to school for civil engineering,” he said, “but it has been seven years since I was in college. I would probably need to go back and retake some classes. There are different ways my (career) could go.”

Haeg already has many football memories to cherish, even if he doesn’t play another snap in an NFL game.

“I’m proud of how my career has gone,” he said. “I dreamed about being a (Minnesota) Twin, Viking or NHL player. It’s crazy how I got to this point - going back to having an opportunity to walk on at NDSU and pursue my engineering degree. That was a life-changing opportunity. Playing football has been a blast. I’ve met so many amazing people.”

One of Haeg’s favorite football memories happened as a member of the Brainerd Warriors.

“Honestly, winning (five) national championships in college and then the Super Bowl were unbelievable, but going to state with the Brainerd Warrior football team my junior and senior years (in the fall of 2009 and 2010) is still one of my top accomplishments,” he said.

Nisswa starts to really come alive in spring. The trees are green, the flowers are blooming, and everyone is thawing out after a beautiful Nisswa winter. Spring brings a favorite Minnesota tradition - fishing opener. Anglers from all over the state travel to Nisswa to try their hand at catching