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Vern Den Herder

Defensive End

Inducted 1996

Date of Birth

11/28/1948

Birthplace

Sioux Center, IA

School

Central College (1967-1970)

Bio

Vern Den Herder 's high school in Sioux Center, Iowa, had no football team his first two years. He was a star in basketball and added football his last two years. He chose Central College at Pella, Iowa, because of its reputation for education in sciences and its affiliation with the Reformed Church in America. He was the starting center on Central's basketball team for four years and set the school scoring record. He was 6-6 in height, weighed 245 pounds and played defensive end in football. Den Herder made All-Iowa Conference three years and in 1970 was team captain, Iowa Conference MVP, and named All-America, college division, by the NAIA, the Football Coaches Association, and the Associated Press. He graduated cum laude with a major in chemistry. Den Herder played 12 years with the Miami Dolphins and was in four Super Bowls. After his last pro season, 1982, he became a full-time farmer back in his old home town. Den Herder worked on a committee which built a new school in Sioux Center, and he served on the consistory of the first Reformed Church. Don Shula, his coach with the Dolphins, called him "one of the most dependable players I've ever coached." Ron Schipper, the coach of Central College, said he was "much more than an outstanding football player. He was a tremendous student. He has always been very humble about his success. He never forgot his roots--he is dedicated to his faith, his family, his community."