Kevin Kaesviharn
Kevin Robert Kaesviharn is an American former professional football player who was a [Safety (American High school football|football position)|safety] in the National Football League. He was signed by the Iowa Barnstormers as a street free agent in 1998. He played college football for the Augustana Vikings.
Kaesviharn was also a member of the San Francisco Demons, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.
Early life
He was born in Paramount, California. His father is an immigrant from Thailand. At Lakeville High School in Lakeville, Minnesota, Kaesviharn lettered in football, track, and basketball.College career
Graduating in 1994, he attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, an NCAA Division II school and was a three-year starter for the Vikings. He finished his collegiate career with 167 tackles, six interceptions, and 34 passes defensed.As a freshman, Kaesviharn was credited with seven tackles and one pass defense. In 1995, he started at cornerback, recording 45 tackles, two interceptions, 10 passes defended and two fumble recoveries.
He had a standout year in 1996 and was named an All-North Central Conference Second-team defensive back, picking up 47 tackles, two interceptions and 11 passes defended.
Kaesviharn finished his collegiate career at cornerback in 1997 as a four-year letter winner. Shortly after his senior season he participated in the Division II All-Star game and was named First-team All-North Central Conference at cornerback, Academic All-North Central Conference, GTE Academic All-American District VII Second-team and Daktronics Division II All-Midwest Region Second-team. At season end, he was ranked third on the team with 68 tackles, and led the team with two interceptions and 12 pass breakups.
As a member of Augustana's Track and Field Program, he placed fourth in the triple jump and sixth in the long jump in the North Central Conference Outdoor Championships. Kaesviharn graduated with a degree in Mathematics and Physical Education.
Professional career
Iowa Barnstormers
After going undrafted in the 1998 NFL draft, Kaesviharn spent one year out of football where he worked as a long term substitute teacher at Sioux Falls Washington High School, before signing with the Arena Football League's Iowa Barnstormers.In 1999, Kaesviharn was named the Barnstormers' Rookie of the Year, leading the team with five interceptions for the season despite having played in only 10 games before breaking a bone in his foot.
His strong success continued into 2000, when Kaesviharn was named to the All-Arena First-team at Defensive Specialist, as the third player in AFL history to register more than 100 tackles in a single season. His 107 tackles were ranked second in the AFL overall. He set a Barnstormers record that year with 10 interceptions in one season.
In his two years with the Barnstormers, Kaesviharn recorded 133 tackles, 15 interceptions, 19 pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and caught six passes for 93 yards as a wide receiver.