Terriers Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Redlands High School

Sports run deep in Redlands-Loma Linda, and Redlands High School has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Terriers uniform. Today we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from Redlands High School who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.

1. Greg Horton – NFL Offensive Lineman (Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Horton was a professional American football offensive lineman who attended Redlands High School in California before starring at the University of Colorado. Selected in the third round of the 1974 NFL Draft, he played five seasons in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, appearing in 63 games and starting 34 at guard. Horton passed away in 2016, but he remains one of Redlands High School’s most notable professional athletes. (Sources: Pro Football Reference, FoxSports.com)

2. Patrick Johnson – NFL Wide Receiver (Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins)

Johnson is a former professional American football wide receiver who attended Redlands High School in Redlands, California, where he excelled in both football and track before becoming a two-sport standout at the University of Oregon. Selected 42nd overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, he won Super Bowl XXXV with the franchise and later played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Redskins (now Commanders). Following his playing career, Johnson transitioned into sports leadership and, in 2025, was named President of the Global Flag Football League, where he focuses on expanding the sport and its global reach. (Sources: Fox4KC.com, All-Athletics.com)

3. Jakobie Keeney‑James – NFL Wide Receiver (Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers)

Keeney-James is a professional American football wide receiver who attended Redlands High School in California, excelling in both football and track before playing college football at Eastern Washington and later UMass. He capped his collegiate career at UMass in 2024 with 50 receptions for 839 yards and six touchdowns. After going undrafted in 2025, Keeney-James signed with the Detroit Lions and later joined the Green Bay Packers, where he earned a spot on the active roster and made his NFL debut, contributing as a receiver and return specialist early in his rookie season. (Sources: DairyLandExpress.com, CBSSports.com)

4. Robin Backhaus – Olympic Swimmer

Backhaus is a former Olympic swimmer and medalist who attended Redlands High School in California before emerging as one of the world’s top butterfly specialists. At just 17, he represented the United States at the 1972 Munich Olympics, earning a bronze medal in the 200-meter butterfly. Backhaus went on to compete collegiately at the University of Washington and the University of Alabama, winning multiple AAU and NCAA titles and gold medals at the 1973 World Aquatics Championships. After retiring from competition, he dedicated decades to the sport as a teacher, coach and swim trainer across Hawaii, Texas and California. (Sources: Olympedia.org, Sports-Reference.com)

5. Keri Nishimoto Sippel – Volleyball Star

Sippel began her volleyball career at Redlands High School before going on to an exceptional collegiate career at Long Beach State University, where she emerged as one of the nation’s top setters. She led the NCAA in assists per game, earned All-Big West and Academic All-American honors, helped guide her team to a Final Four appearance and later played professionally with the St. Louis Quest. Her lasting impact on the sport and her alma mater led to her induction into the Redlands High School Hall of Fame. (Source: RHSAthleticHallOfFame.org)

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