History

Ring of Honor

Scott Studwell

Linebacker...6’ 2” 224 lbs...Illinois...14 seasons: Minnesota Vikings (1977-90)…Has worked in Vikings front office and college scouting from 1991-present, giving him 33 consecutive years of service to the club...Vikings all-time leading tackler with 1,981 in his career and holds team records for single-season tackles with 230 in 1981 and 24 in a game against Detroit in 1985...Member of the Vikings 25th and 40th Anniversary season teams…Ranks as 1 of only 5 Vikings to have played 200 games for the franchise…Honored with Pro Bowl berths in 1987 and 1988...Led Vikings in tackles in 8 seasons, 1980-85, ’88, ’89…Drafted by Vikings in 9th round of 1977 out of Illinois where left ranked 2nd only to Dick Butkus in career tackles...Born August 27, 1954, in Evansvill, IN...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on November 29, 2009.

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John Randle

Vikings legendary defensive tackle John Randle became the 17th member of the Vikings Ring of Honor during the 2008 season on November 30, 2008. Randle’s fierce style of play and emotional leadership were hallmarks of his 11 seasons with the Vikings (1990-2000). One of the most popular Vikings during his playing days, Randle’s high-energy style earned him the respect of teammates and opponents across the NFL. His play redefined the DT position during his era and his game-changing ability made pass rushing from the DT spot a premium. A success story from the start of his Vikings career, Randle came to the team in 1990 as an undrafted rookie free agent from Division II Texas A&I. In 1991 he cracked the regular starting lineup and he went on to start 150 of the 176 career games he played. Randle led or tied for the team lead 9 times in his 11 Vikings seasons and had 10+ sacks in 8 straight seasons from 1993-2000. Randle’s 114.0 career sacks ranks 3rd in Vikings history and ranks as the most by a DT. Randle earned starting spots for the NFC in 6 straight Pro Bowls, 1993-98, with the Vikings and went to the Pro Bowl in 2001 as a Seahawk, representing the AFC. Randle was named to the NFL Team of the Decade for the 1990s. Randle was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame for his Texas A&I career. Randle played 14 NFL seasons, ending his career with Seattle from 2001-03.

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Chuck Foreman

Running Back...6' 2" 210 lbs...Miami (Fla.)...8 seasons: Minnesota Vikings (1973-79), New England Patriots (1980)...Named to 5 straight Pro Bowls (1973-77)...Team’s 2nd-leading all-time rusher with 5,879 yards and tied for team record with 52 rushing TDs...Named NFC Rookie of the Year in 1973...Integral part in the Vikings’ appearance in 3 Super Bowls...Posted 17 career 100-yard games...Selected with the 12th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft...Born October 26, 1950, in Frederick, MD...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on September 30, 2007.

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Randall McDaniel

Guard..6' 3" 287 lbs...Arizona State...14 seasons: Minnesota Vikings (1988-99), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2000-01)...Started 12 consecutive Pro Bowls (1989-2000), setting an NFL record...Started 202 consecutive games in his career...Blocked for five 1,000-yard rushers in his career and four 3,000-yard passers...Earned spot on Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Team of the Decade for the 1990s...His 190 games played as a Viking is tied for 7th in team history with offensive tackle Grady Alderman...Selected with the 19th overall pick in the 1988 NFL Draft...Born December 19, 1964, in Phoenix, AZ...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on December 17, 2006.

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Jerry Burns

Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator...Michigan...24 seasons: Minnesota Vikings (1968-85 Offensive Coordinator, 1986-91 Head Coach)...NFL regular season coaching record 52-43...Had 3-3 mark in postseason play...Served as Vikings’ Offensive Coordinator for 18 seasons (1968-85)...Led Vikings to NFC Championship in 1987, earning upset wins over New Orleans and San Francisco along the way...First coach in Vikings history to have a winning record in his first season (9-7 in ‘86)...As offensive coordinator, helped Vikings to 4 Super Bowl appearances and 11 Central Division titles..Was part of 15 playoff teams during his 24 seasons with Minnesota...Coached in Super Bowl I and II with the Green Bay Packers as their defensive backs coach (1966-67)...Head coach at University of Iowa from 1961-65...Played QB for Michigan on the 1950 Rose Bowl team...Born January 27, 1927, in Detroit, MI...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on November 6, 2005.

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Bill Brown

Running Back...5' 11" 230 lbs...Illinois...14 seasons: Chicago Bears (1961), Minnesota Vikings (1962-74)...Vikings career leader in rushing attempts with 1,627...Tied with Chuck Foreman for team record with 52 career rushing TDs...Ranks 3rd in Vikings history with 5,757 career rushing yards...Ranks 3rd in team history for career combined net yards with 9,237...Selected to 4 Pro Bowls, 1964, ‘65, ‘67, ‘68...Played in Super Bowl IV, VIII and IX...Final game of career was Super Bowl IX vs. Pittsburgh...Led Vikings in rushing 4 times, 1964-66, ‘68...Led team in receiving in 1964...Tied for 3rd in team history with 8 career 100-yard games...Ranks 12th in Vikings history with 180 career games played and 111 games started...Played in most games by a Vikings RB...Drafted in 2nd-round by Chicago in 1961...Obtained by Vikings via trade in 1962...Son-in-law is former NFL MVP Rich Gannon...During playing career, spent a 6-week tour visiting troops in Vietnam...Born June 29, 1938 in Mendota, IL...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor September 26, 2004.

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Cris Carter

Wide Receiver...6' 3" 210 lbs...Ohio State...16 seasons: Philadelphia Eagles (1987-1989), Minnesota Vikings (1990-01), Miami Dolphins (2002)...Played in 188 and started 177 games as a Viking, a record among Vikings WRs…Played in 234 career NFL games…Named All-Pro 4 times…Played in 8 straight Pro Bowls, 1993-00...Caught a pass in Vikings-record 111 straight games...Holds Vikings records for catches (1,004), receiving TDs (110) and receiving yards (12,383)...Holds Vikings record with 40 career 100-yard receiving games...Named to NFL’s Team of the Decade for the 1990s...Recipient of the Byron “Whizzer” White Award by the NFL Players Association and the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 1999...Claimed by Vikings off waivers from Philadelphia in 1990…Selected by Philadelphia in 4th round of 1987 supplemental draft...Born November 25, 1965 in Troy, OH...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor September 14, 2003.

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Carl Eller

Defensive End...6' 5" 250 lbs...Minnesota...16 seasons: Minnesota Vikings (1964-1978), Seattle Seahawks (1979)...Played in 209 and started 201 games as a Viking, joining Jim Marshall and Mick Tingelhoff as the only players in team history to start 200+ games…Played in 225 career NFL games…Named All-Pro 5 times, including 4 straight from 1968-71…Played in 6 Pro Bowls, 1968-71, 73-74... Started at left defensive end in four Super Bowls (IV, VIII, IX, XI)...Vikings won the NFC Central in 10 of his final 11 seasons with the team…Vikings career record holder with 130.0 sacks…Holds team record with a sack in 8 straight games and is the only Viking to post 15+ sacks in a season multiple times…Selected with the 6th overall pick in the NFL Draft in 1964...Born February 25, 1942 in Winston-Salem, NC...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor November 10, 2002.

Carl Eller Photo Gallery >>

Mick Tingelhoff

Center...6' 2" 237 lbs...Nebraska...17 seasons: Minnesota Vikings (1962-1978)...Played in and started 240 consecutive games, never missing a start in his 17 seasons...Named All-Pro 7 consecutive years...Played in 6 straight Pro Bowls...Named to the 1,000-Yard Club in 1969, honoring the NFL’s top blocker...Started at center in four Super Bowls (IV, VIII, IX, XI)...Signed with the Vikings as a free agent in 1962, taking over starting duties at C in the 2nd preseason game and never relinquishing them until his retirement following the 1978 season...Born May 22, 1940 in Lexington, NE...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor November 25, 2001.

Mick Tingelhoff Photo Gallery >>

Korey Stringer

Tackle...6' 5" 335 lbs...Ohio State...6 seasons: Minnesota Vikings (1995-2000)...Drafted by Minnesota with the 24th pick of the 1995 Draft....Took over the Vikings right tackle spot in the 2nd game of his rookie year and never relinquished the spot...Started 91 of the 93 games he played in the NFL and all 9 playoff games...Selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2000 season...Named a 2nd-Team All-Pro by College and Pro Football Newsweekly following the 1998 season...Named to the All-Rookie team team by College and Pro Football Newsweekly and Football News after starting 15 of 16 games as a rookie..Born May 8, 1974, in Warren, OH...Died August 1, 2001...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor November 19, 2001.

Korey Stringer Photo Gallery >>

Ron Yary

Tackle...6' 5" 255 lbs...Southern California...15 seasons: Minnesota Vikings (1968-1981), Los Angeles Rams (1982)...Drafted by Minnesota with the 1st overall pick in 1968...The first OL to be drafted #1 overall in League history....Took over the Vikings RT spot midway through the 1969 season and was a fixture there for the rest of his career...Was named All-Pro 6 consecutive times...Was All-NFC 8 straight seasons...Played in 7 Pro Bowls...Started in Super Bowls IV, VII, IX, XI...Missed only 2 games in his career with injuries due to a broken ankle in 1980...His blend of size, speed and strength was unique when he entered the League and ushered in a new era of offensive line play...Born July 16, 1946, in Chicago, IL...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor September 9, 2001.

Ron Yary Photo Gallery >>

Jim Marshall

Defensive End...6' 4" 248 lbs...Ohio State...20 seasons: Cleveland Browns (1960) and Minnesota Vikings (1961-1979)...Ranks 1st in NFL history with 282 consecutive games played and started, 270 of those coming with the Vikings...Ranks 2nd in Vikings history with 127 sacks...Played in 2 Pro Bowls, following the 1968 and ‘69 seasons...Led or tied for team lead in sacks in each of the Vikings first 6 seasons (1961-66)...Holds NFL and Vikings record with 29 career fumble recoveries..Ranks 9th in Vikings history with 988 career tackles, ranking behind only Alan Page among defensive linemen...Joined fellow linemen Carl Eller, Gary Larsen and Alan Page to form the vaunted Purple People Eaters, one of the top defensive units of their era in the NFL...Started at DE in 4 Super Bowls (IV, VIII, IX, XI)....Originally a 4th-round draft pick by Cleveland in 1960...Born December 30, 1937 in Danville, KY...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on November 28, 1999.

Jim Marshall Photo Gallery >>

Fred Zamberletti

Athletic Trainer...Iowa...48 seasons: Minnesota Vikings (1961-present)...The first athletic trainer the Vikings had and continues working with the teams athletic training staff giving advice and counsel...Has never missed a Vikings pre-season, regular season, post-season or all-star game, working 888 consecutive contests...Has not missed a day of work in 43 seasons with the team...Has won numerous awards in his field, including being named the Professional Athletic Trainer of the Year in 1986 and in 1996 the Vikings staff was honored as the NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year..Born May 28, 1932 in Melchior, IA...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on December 20, 1998.

Fred Zamberletti Photo Gallery >>

Paul Krause

Safety...6' 3" 200 lbs...Iowa...16 seasons: Washington Redskins (1964-1967) and Minnesota Vikings (1968-1979)...Second-round pick Redskins, 1964...Led NFL in interceptions with 12 as a rookie and was named 1st-team All Pro...In his first season as a Viking he intercepted passes in 6 consecutive games...Still the all-time NFL leader in interceptions with 81...Also ranks 3rd all-time with 1,185 career yards on interception returns...His 10 interceptions in 1975 remains a club record...Played in 8 Pro Bowls...Started at safety in 4 Super Bowls (IV, VIII, IX, XI)...Voted All-NFL 4 times and All-NFC 5 times...Born February 19, 1942, in Flint, MI...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on November 15, 1998.

Paul Krause Photo Gallery >>

Bud Grant

Head Coach...Minnesota...18 seasons: Minnesota Vikings (1967-1983, 1985)...NFL regular season coaching record 158-96-5...Had 10-12 mark in post-season play...Led Vikings to 11 divisional championships in 1968-71, 1973-78, 1980...Led team to 1969 NFL Title...National Football Conference Champions 1973, 1974, 1976...His Vikings teams played in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX, XI...First person to be elected to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame (May 13, 1983)...In 28 seasons as a head coach, won a total of 290 football games...1969 NFL Coach of the Year...Came to the Vikings after 10-year tenure (102-56-2) with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL...Played 2 seasons for NBA’s Minneapolis Lakers...Born May 20, 1927, in Superior, WI...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on November 8, 1998.

Bud Grant Photo Gallery >>

Jim Finks

Administrator...Tulsa...22 seasons: Minnesota Vikings (1964-1973), Chicago Bears (1974-1982), New Orleans Saints (1986-1993)...Served as Vikings general manager and vice-president...Hired Bud Grant in 1967 from the CFL...Finks helped the Vikings win 5 NFC Central Division crowns...Vikings appeared in Super Bowls IV and VIII under Finks guidance...Developed Vikings, Bears and Saints, all teams with losing records, into winners...Vikings posted a 42-14 record during his 4 seasons as team general manager/vice president...1973 NFL Executive of the Year...Long time member of the NFL competition committee...Played DB/QB for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1949-1955)...Born August 31, 1927, in St. Louis, MO...Died May 8, 1994...Inducted into Vikings Ring of Honor on October 18, 1998.

Jim Finks Photo Gallery >>

Alan Page

Defensive Tackle...6' 4" 225 lbs...Notre Dame...15 seasons: Minnesota Vikings (1967-1978), Chicago Bears (1978-1981)...First-round pick, 1967, 15th overall player selected...Played in 236 straight games, including 4 Super Bowls (IV, VIII, IX, XI)...Named NFL Most Valuable Player by Associated Press in 1971, the 1st defensive player to ever win the award and joins only Fran Tarkenton and Randall Cunningham as the only Vikings to earn the honor...A 4-time NFC Defensive Player of the Year...All NFL/NFC 9 years...Played in nine Pro Bowls...Career marks: 23 opponent fumble recoveries...Blocked 28 kicks...Recorded 148.5 sacks...Ranks 4th in Vikings history and leads all defensive linemen with 1,120 career tackles...Currently serves on the Minnesota Supreme Court...Active in the Twin Cities community through the Page Education Foundation...Born August 7, 1945, in Canton, OH...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on September 20, 1998.

Alan Page Photo Gallery >>

Fran Tarkenton

Quarterback...6' 0" 185 lbs...Georgia...18 seasons: Minnesota Vikings (1961-66, 1972-78) New York Giants (1967-1971)...Third-round pick, 1961...An instant star with 4 TD passes coming off the bench to beat the Bears 37-13 in the 1st game in franchise history vs. Chicago (9/17/61)...Dealt to New York Giants in 1967 and back to the Vikings in 1972 in stunning trades...At retirement, led lifetime NFL passers in attempts (6,467), completions (3,686), passing yards (47,003), TD passes (342)...1975 NFL Most Valuable Player...Rushed for 3,674 yards, 32 touchdowns...Led Vikings to 3 Super Bowls (VIII, IX, XI)...A 4-time All-NFL selection...Played in 9 Pro Bowls...Born February 3, 1940, in Richmond, VA...Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on September 9, 1998.

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