117 games/93 starts
Powerful blocker who gives the Vikings a strong presence on the edge of the line...Ranks 4th in Vikings history among TEs in career catches…Only Steve Jordan (149) has started more games at TE than Kleinsasser’s 93…Key element in the Vikings ranking #1 in the NFL in offense for the 1st time in franchise history in 2003 and leading the NFL in rushing for the 1st time in 2002…Devastating blocker who set careerhighs in 2003 with 46 catches, 401 yards and 4 TDs…Ranked 3rd on team in catches in 2002 and 2003…Key element to leading Robert Smith to 1,000-yard seasons in 1999 and 2000, Michael Bennett in 2002 and Chester Taylor in 2006…Has blocked for 1,000-yard runner in 4 of his 7 full NFL seasons...Has paved the way for the 3 of the top 4 single-season rushing performances in Vikings history, Smith’s 1,521 yards in 2000, Bennett’s 1,296 in 2002 and Taylor’s 1,216 in 2006...Helped the 2002 Vikings lead the NFL in rushing for the 1st time in team history…Played FB, H-back, and TE during his rookie campaign…Made his 1st start in the NFL vs. Oakland (9/19/99) at FB…Drafted in the 2nd round (44th overall) of the 1999 NFL draft…Vikings traded picks 59, 73, and 163 to the Steelers in the 1999 Draft in order to acquire Kleinsasser with the 44th pick.
• Recognized for his unselfish blocking by earning a spot on USA Today’s All-Joe Team for 2007, a team that recognizes hard working and under appreciated players across the NFL. • Key part of the Vikings posting the #1 rushing offense in the NFL in 2007 and setting a Vikings record with 2,634 rushing yards on the season. • Helped Adrian Peterson rush for 1,341 yards, the 5th time in his 8 full seasons he has blocked for a 1,000-yard runner with the Vikings. • Has helped pave the way for 4 of the top 5 single-season rushing totals in Vikings history- Robert Smith in 2000 (1st with 1,521), Adrian Peterson in 2007 (2nd with 1,341), Michael Bennett in 2002 (3rd with 1,296) and Taylor (5th with 1,216). • Helped open holes for Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor as they set a new Vikings record for most combined rushing yards by a duo. • Paved the way for Adrian Peterson to run for 100+ yards 6 times on the 2007 season and Chester Taylor to accomplish the feat 2 times to match the team record set in 2000 with 8 games with a 100-yard rusher. • Ranks 5th in Vikings history for career catches by a TE with 158, trailing Joe Senser (165), Stu Voigt (177), Jermaine Wiggins (186) and Steve Jordan (498). • Ranks 2nd behind Steve Jordan in Vikings history for starts by a TE with 93. • Caught 6th career TD pass and 1st since 2003 on a 2-yarder from Tarvaris Jackson vs. Washington (12/23). • Had season-long 26-yard catch from Tarvaris Jackson vs. Chicago (12/17) on Monday Night Football.• Helped pave the way for rookie Adrian Peterson to set an NFL record with 296 rushing yards vs. San Diego (11/4) and break the 1,000-yard plateau for the season in the 8th game of 2007.• Between the 2006 and 2007 seasons, helped Vikings RBs break the 100-yard mark 13 times (Adrian Peterson-6, Chester Taylor-6 and Artose Pinner-1).
Has worked extensively with the Make-AWish Foundation, serving with his wife at the annual banquet...Participates annually in the Epilepsy Foundation Clothing Drive...Speaks annually at the North Dakota Special Olympics Games...Financial management major at UND...Married to Christa, and son, Carter, was born in spring 2007...Couple has a beagle, Vince...Avid fisherman, from a boat or through the ice, in his free time...Grew up on a beef and crop farm in North Dakota his family still runs...Sister, Sheri, was a 2-time All-America basketball player at North Dakota.