Tingelhoff was picked up by the Vikings as a free agent in 1962. He earned the starting Center position his Rookie year and started 240 consecutive games, never missing a start in his 17 season career until he retired in 1978.

Tingelhoff played in 6 straight Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro for 7 consecutive years. He started at center in four Super Bowls (IV, VII, IX, XI) and was named to the 1000 Yard Club in 1969, honoring the NFL's top blocker. He was inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor in 2001 and enshrined at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.