One word can't possibly describe his significance in Vikings history. Two might be sufficient, though.

Folk hero Adam Thielen announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday after 13 seasons of writing a story that is one of the best ever — in Minnesota, of course, but also in the sport as a whole.

"What a ride it has been!" he captioned in a story on his Instagram account.

From Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and a product of Minnesota State, Mankato, the homegrown dynamo finished his 12-season career (plus one year on the practice squad) with 704 catches, 8,497 receiving yards and 64 touchdown receptions. Thielen also rushed 22 times for 178 yards and a score — and his first dash to pay dirt happened when he blocked a punt against the Panthers and returned it 30 yards.

That initial touchdown was a franchise record for approximately 15 minutes — and then teammate Everson Griffen returned another blocked punt for a touchdown that was housed from 43 yards out.

Thielen's modest beginnings are well known. The league watched him, an unwanted prospect, evolve into a Pro Bowl wide receiver and Second-Team All-Pro (2017) — and he produced plenty of other milestones. Originally a tryout player and havoc-creator on special teams, Thielen baby-stepped into the Vikings offensive lineup in 2014-2015 and rocketed to the top of the club's receiving charts in 2016, posting 967 yards, including 202 at Green Bay, and five TDs. The two seasons after that were defining.

In 2017, Thielen set then-personal bests in catches (91) and yards (1,276). In 2018, he outdid himself. Beginning in Week 1, Thielen delivered eight consecutive 100-yard games, the most such performances by a player at the beginning of a season in NFL history. The feat broke a 57-year-old record set by Charlie Hennigan in 1961 (7). For context, Vikings Legend Randy Moss ranks tied for fourth on that list, with four games in a row over the 100-yard threshold to start his iconic 2007 season on the New England Patriots.

Thielen spent four more seasons in Minnesota (2019-22) and was invaluable to a smooth transition from Stefon Diggs as the playmaker in the receiver's room to a young phenom in Justin Jefferson. Even in a No. 2 role, Thielen was a star, expanding his niche as a red-zone threat, with 14 and 10 TDs in 2020 and 2021.

In 2023 free agency, the undrafted veteran was rewarded with a lucrative deal from the Panthers, who valued his mentorship as they prepared to enter a new era with No. 1 overall pick QB Bryce Young. It was strange to witness Thielen in different threads, but his production was nostalgic. At 33, he paced Carolina in receiving with his third campaign over 1,000 yards. His average yardage was even better across limited action in 2024. And then, well, not too long ago, Thielen returned to his roots and No. 19 purple jersey.

With concerns about depth on Minnesota's roster after injuries to Jefferson (hamstring) and Jalen Nailor (hand) in camp — and expecting a suspension for Jordan Addison, which ultimately shelved him for the first three games of the season — the team traded future draft capital to Carolina to bring Thielen home.

In 11 games and four starts, the now 35-year-old, snared eight balls for 69 yards and six first downs. His playing time diminished when Addison came back — and Nailor and Jefferson were healthy throughout.

Thielen and Minnesota mutually agreed to part ways Dec. 1, and thereafter he signed with Pittsburgh and enjoyed playing his seventh career playoff game, upping his postseason catches to 26 for 356 yards.

It was an understandable desire to want to finish out his gridiron days in a more prominent capacity.

Thielen had a couple catches for first downs and 25 yards as the Steelers were routed by the Texans in Monday night's Wild Card game. In five regular-season contests with the Black and Gold, he recorded 11 receptions (checking off that 700 benchmark) and 117 yards, while playing 61% of the snaps on offense.

Here's a rundown of where he ranks in his hometown Minnesota's almanac: He's second all-time in games played by a Vikings WR (146), behind Cris Carter; he's third with 55 TD catches, trailing Carter and Moss; he's fourth in receptions after Carter, Moss and Jefferson; he's fifth to Carter, Moss, Jefferson and Anthony Carter in receiving yards; and he's also fifth to that same foursome with 21 efforts of 100 yards.

Thielen's career in comparison to fellow undrafted players is almost unheard of. The only players with more receiving yards are Gold Jacket TE Antonio Gates, two-time Super Bowl champ Rod Smith and one of Tom Brady's go-to guys, slot trailblazer Wes Welker. Thielen is fourth to the same crew in total catches.

Not too shabby for a kid turned man from a small city in Northwest Minnesota.

It would have been cool to see Thielen receive the type of ovations given to Vikings captains C.J. Ham and Harrison Smith in the Week 18 finale — as a Minnesota native, fan-favorite and integral part of so many fond memories, Thielen deserved it. But those flowers aren't going anywhere. They're his forever.

Captain of the defense

On the topic of former Vikings players, we want to show some love to Captain Munnerlyn.

A long-time Panthers defensive back, Munnerlyn played the 2014-16 seasons for Minnesota. In 47 contests (30 starts), Munnerlyn procured four interceptions to go along with 12 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, three recoveries, including one for a 55-yard TD against rival Green Bay that built a big enough lead to fend off a Packers comeback in Week 17 of the 2015 slate, and 172 tackles and a sack.

He had a penchant for great plays and a reputation for being a great person off the field, twice winning the Korey Stringer Media Good Guy Award.

Now a coach at the high school level, Munnerlyn is embracing a return to pro football.

The 37-year-old is joining one of his former NFL teammates, receiver/returner Tedd Ginn, Jr., to lead an expansion franchise in the UFL, a spring league that combined the XFL and USFL. Ginn was named the inaugural head coach of the Columbus Aviators, and Munnerlyn will serve as the defensive coordinator.

You can read more about Munnerlyn's next opportunity in the coaching world here.

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