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John Randle chased and tackled opposing ball carriers and QBs all over the field for 14 seasons (1990-2003), and it turns out he pursued them all the way to Canton, Ohio, where he’ll be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this August after being elected into football immortality on Saturday.
“We are extremely proud today that John has been selected as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010,” said Vikings Owner and Chairman Zygi Wilf. “As an undrafted rookie free agent, John’s hard work and perseverance paid off as he became one of the greatest defensive linemen to play the game. We look forward to having John enshrined in Canton, and we are grateful for his part in Minnesota Vikings history.”
Randle, who last played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks from 2001-2003, was a fixture in the Vikings organization for 11 seasons (1990-2000).
Born in Hearne, Texas and raised poor, Randle went undrafted out of Texas A&I. But his career is one that proves nothing is impossible.
The 6-1, 282-pound DT with a tireless motor and insatiable work ethic was picked up by the Vikings before the 1990 season and eventually became a stalwart along the defensive line.
Just 3 years after going undrafted, Randle was heading to his 1st Pro Bowl after tallying 11.5 sacks during the 1993 season. He went on to record double-digit sacks during 8 different seasons, including a career-high and league-leading 15.5 sacks in 1997; he led the Vikings in sacks 9 different times (8 years consecutively).
A 7-time Pro Bowler and 6-time All-Pro selection, Randle finished his career with 137.5 sacks, the most by a DT in NFL history and tied with Richard Dent for 5th all-time. He started 150 of the 176 games he played in Minnesota, recorded 114.0 sacks as a Viking (3rd in franchise history) and was named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.
Aside from outstanding production, Randle also was known for his leadership and fiery passion for the game. From players who lined up against him to teammates who lined up with him, Randle was a popular player known for his boisterous and outgoing personality. He was often captured on camera making peculiar noises before, during and after plays and he enjoyed trash-talking with the opposition and applying excessive amounts of eye black on his face.
Randle was inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on November 30, 2008 and was also elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
