Matt Birk

Games and Starts

(regular season, playoffs) 1998 (7/0, 1/0) 1999 (15/0, 2/0), 2000 (16/16, 2/2), 2001 (16/16), 2002 (16/16), 2003 (16/16), 2004 (12/11, 2/2), 2005 (IR). Total- 98/75, 7/4.

Professional Biography

Rebounding from hip and sports hernia injuries that sidelined him for the entire 2005 season, placed on injured reserve following training camp...Has started at C for the 2 highest single-season rushing totals in Vikings history- Robert Smith’s 1,521 in 2000 and Michael Bennett’s 1,296 in 2002...Vikings RBs have gone over the 100-yard mark 22 times in Birk’s 75 career starts (Robert Smith-8, Michael Bennett-8, Moe Williams-2, Onterrio Smith-2, Mewelde Moore-2)…His 67 consecutive career starts rank 2nd in Vikings history at the position...Earned Pro Bowl berths following 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004 seasons...Named to 2005 NFL’s All-Interview team by NFL.com for being cooperative with and providing insight to the media…Had never played center before the Vikings moved him to the position.

NFL History

• EARNED 6^TH CAREER PRO BOWL BERTH IN 2007, MATCHING MICK TINGELHOFF FOR MOST PRO BOWLS BY A VIKINGS CENTER IN TEAM HISTORY AND TRAILING ONLY RANDALL McDANIEL AND RON YARY FOR MOST PRO BOWLS BY A VIKINGS OFFENSIVE LINEMAN.
• Named the Vikings Man of the Year for his community work for the 6^th year in a row.
• Trails only legend Mick Tingelhoff (240 starts) for most starts by a center in team history with 107.
• Big part of the Vikings ranking #1 in the NFL in rushing offense for only the 2^nd time in Vikings history and jumping from #23 in 2006 in NFL offense to #13 in 2007.
• Helped set a Vikings record with 2,634 rushing yards and a team-record 5.33 yards per carry in 2007.
• Has helped pave the way for 4 of the top 5 single-season rushing totals in Vikings history- Robert Smith in 2000 (1^st with 1,521), Adrian Peterson in 2007 (2^nd with 1,341), Michael Bennett in 2002 (3rd with 1,296) and Taylor (5^th with 1,214).
• Helped Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor set a new Vikings record for most combined rushing yards in a season by a duo.
• Helped pave the way for the Vikings to tie a team record with 8 games with a 100-yard rusher in 2007.
• 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 8^th game of 2007. The Vikings set a new team record with 378 rushing yards in the game.
• Helped open holes for Adrian Peterson to set a then-Vikings record with 224 rushing yards @ Chicago (10/14) and notch 311 rushing yards as a team.  
• Helped Adrian Peterson run for 100+ yards in 6 of the opening 12 games of the 2007 season.
• Named the Vikings Ed Block Courage Award winner in a vote by his teammates in 2006.
• Earned Pro Bowl in 1st season as a starter in 2000 and went on to earn berths following ‘01, ‘03, ’04 and ‘06.
• Had not played center before coming to the Vikings, spending college career at OT.
• Started 1st NFL game in season opener vs. Chicago (9/3/00).
• Was chosen in the 6th round (173rd overall) in the 1998 draft.
• All-Ivy League and All-Eastern selection as a senior and helped Harvard to the 1997 Ivy League title.
• Played prep football at Cretin-Derham Hall High in St. Paul where he was all-state in football and basketball.
• Active in the Twin Cities community through Vikings Victory Visits to local hospitals, schools and the Oak Park Neighborhood Center for youth. Joined the Kids Voting Minnesota program in the 2002 offseason.
• Owns Matty B’s restaurants with locations in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
• Married to Adrianna with 3 daughters.

College Information

1997 All-American second team selection by the NFL Draft Report...All-Ivy League, All-New England and Division 1-AA All-ECAC first team choice...Led the way as the Harvard offense ranked 5th in the nation in rushing (207.7 ypg) and in passing efficiency (86.3 rating) as a senior in 1997...Harvard went 7-0 in league play, and 9-1 overall during his senior season and won the Ivy League crown.

Personal Biography

Five-time Vikings Man of the Year is one of the most involved Vikings players in the Twin Cities community…Received degree in economics from Harvard in 1998...Brother, Ben, was a pitcher in the Florida Marlins organization…Has been involved with Viking Victory hospital visits as well as the Oak Park Neighborhood Center for youth…Married, wife’s name is Adrianna...Couple has a pair of daughters, Madison and Sydney...Did not play in 2002 Pro Bowl due to his wedding falling on the same weekend…Started the Matt Birk H.I.K.E. Foundation in 2002 (Hope Inspiration Knowledge Education) to benefit deserving and high-achieving students...Named to Dick Butkus Football Network’s All-American Sportsmanship Team for 2002…Served as spokesperson for the Vikings/Star Tribune Gridiron Geography program...Opened a supper club in native St. Paul in spring 2006, Matty B’s…All-State and All-St. Paul Conference at Cretin-Derham Hall High School (St. Paul, MN)...Lettered 3 times in football…Added 4 letters as a forward on the Raiders basketball team, picking up All-Conference and All-State recognition...Academic All-State football and basketball pick...Also lettered in track.