Category: Former Vikings

Vikings Hall of Famer John Randle honored by city of Canton

The city announced they would have honorary Mayors for the city, and the former Vikings defensive lineman will be among those honored

Minnesota Vikings Hall of Famer John Randle has had quite a busy schedule in recent weeks. From being at the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement to the Democratic National Convention, he has been there and back and again.

As it turns out, Randle is not yet done with the city of Canton, Ohio.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame and the city announced they would have honorary Mayors for the city, and the former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman will be among those honored. The city has a residency program and, in turn, will be out and about within the community.

They explain the program as an “initiative will bring 28 enshrinees to Canton for several days each time on a near-weekly basis from early April through November. Much of the visiting enshrinee’s time in Canton will be spent inside the museum, greeting guests and sharing his experiences and inspirational stories from the game with the fans who visit the Hall from across the country.”

Randle was inducted into the 2010 class alongside other players Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith. That class is considered among several considered to be one of the best of all-time.

 

Vikings Hall of Famer John Randle lays out the keys to a successful NFL season

Minnesota Vikings legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer have cracked the code to make any NFL season successfull.

The 2024 NFL Season is going to be challenging for several teams, including the Minnesota Vikings. However, Minnesota Vikings legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer have cracked the code to make any NFL season successful.

All you need to do is follow the simple steps he has laid out on social media in a video series.

John Randle has transitioned from being a legendary NFL player to a legendary social media presence. The videos above are satire, but they are a fun reminder to fans of how simple things can be for everyone during a stressful season.

Randle has had a busy offseason himself. In addition to his social media work, he was a member of the Minnesota delegation at the Democratic National Convention last month in Chicago..

The Vikings can use these tips to prepare for their season, which kicks off on Sunday against the New York Giants in Week 1.

Jared Allen excited for Vikings to ‘get after the quarterback’ in 2024

Now, in 2024, with Allen offering analysis instead of defensive stops, he decided to get vocal about the Vikings’ pass rush.

Former Minnesota Vikings and maybe future Hall of Famer Jared Allen had a knack for getting to the quarterback. During his six seasons with the Vikings, Allen secured 85.5 sacks.

Now, in 2024, with Allen offering analysis instead of defensive stops, he decided to get vocal about the Vikings’ pass rush.

While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, Allen talked about the team’s ability to pass rush and how it excites him for the upcoming season.

“We’re gonna be young and fast on the defensive side of the ball, and we’ll be able to get after the quarterback.”

Allen expanded upon his praise by saying how much he lacks the job that Kevin O’Connell and his staff have done. The front office has also done a great job of putting together a defensive front that can get after the quarterback, led by free agent signee Jonathan Greenard and first-round draft pick Dallas Turner.

If the preseason was any indicator, the team will be after the quarterback early and often. In their three preseason games without Greenard and Turner, the team brought the quarterback down nine times for a sack.

Imagine the production once they start playing them on Sunday against the Giants.

Former Vikings RB signs with Cowboys, reunites with former HC

Former Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is back in the NFL after signing with the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday.

Former Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is back in the NFL after signing with the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday. The former Viking heads to Dallas after playing for the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets during the 2023 season.

Cook signs with the Cowboys as the team looks to find its footing at the running back position. The team also has Deuce Vaughn and Ezekiel Elliott on the roster. Who will earn what role is yet to be determined with Cook’s arrival.

Cook spent the previous six years with the Vikings after being drafted by the team in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Cook is the third all-time leading rusher for the Vikings in franchise history with 5,993 yards. Since his departure, the team has struggled to find a new starting running back with a rotation of Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, and now Aaron Jones.

They hope the former Green Bay Packer can serve as a long-term solution.

Vikings legend John Randle attends Democratic National Convention

John Randle, a former Viking and Pro Football Hall of Famer, was part of the Minnesota delegation at the Democratic National Convention.

The Democratic National Convention is going on this week in Chicago, and one player who has been a thorn in its side found himself back in the Windy City.

John Randle, a former Viking and Pro Football Hall of Famer, was part of the Minnesota delegation at the convention. He, alongside Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, announced that the state was giving the Kamala Harris and Walz ticket their ceremonial votes for the Democratic nomination.

Minnesota and even the Vikings have worked their way into the headlines during the presidential race. Seeing Randle front and center shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone at this point.

Randle was one of several celebrities and notable citizens from each state and territory at the convention’s roll call, but he stood out as the lone figure from the NFL.

Vikings legend meets with J.J. McCarthy after training camp

The Minnesota Vikings are a franchise with storybook history filled with special players, on Tuesday one of them met J.J. McCarthy.

The Minnesota Vikings are a franchise with a storybook history filled with special players. On Tuesday, one of them met J.J. McCarthy. The rookie quarterback has been doing well during the first week of training camp, and a new high point was reached.

Vikings legend Tommy Kramer made his way onto the field after practice and, in a post on social media, shared the conversation he had with the rookie quarterback.

Kramer is considered one of the best quarterbacks in franchise history. Having played for the team from 1977 to 1989, the Vikings are hoping they can get that same sustained success out of McCarthy during his tenure with the team.

J.J. McCarthy has had a good start to camp and has shown that the arm strength and footwork are becoming more efficient. Clips from camp are all over social media, and this may prove to be closer competition between him and Sam Darnold than previously thought.

As for Tommy Kramer, he has seemingly made it clear who he favors in the competition.

Vikings to induct Bobby Bryant into team’s Ring of Honor

The Minnesota Vikings announced on Tuesday that former cornerback Bobby Bryant will be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor this season.

The Minnesota Vikings announced on Tuesday that former cornerback Bobby Bryant will be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor this season. The ceremony is planned for September 22 at halftime of the team’s game against the Houston Texans.

Bryant was made aware of the honor on a Zoom call with Vikings ownership and former teammates, including Fran Tarkenton and Alan Page.

Bryant’s career spanned over three decades for the Vikings. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 1968 NFL Draft, which immediately made his impact felt. He had 51 career interceptions, which is good for the second-most all-time in Vikings history. Two of his biggest interceptions though came in the NFC Championship Games in 1973 and 1976 when he helped seal wins for the team.

During his 14 seasons with the team, the Vikings won 11 division titles and had one of the best passing defenses in the league. They led the NFL in passing yards allowed five times within eight years.

Former Vikings player, coach Monte Kiffin passes away at 84

Former Minnesota Vikings player and coach Monte Kiffin passed away on Thursday at the age of 84, Ole Miss announced on social media.

Former Minnesota Vikings player and coach Monte Kiffin passed away on Thursday at the age of 84, Ole Miss announced on social media.

Kiffin was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 15th round of the 1964 NFL Draft after a college career at Nebraska. He was known for his time serving as a coach more than his playing time on the field. During his coaching career, Kiffin orchestrated some of the more effective and legendary defenses in the pro or college football game. His coaching career started in 1966 as a Graduate Assistant at Nebraska after his playing career ended the same year.

He would make several stops in both the NFL and NCAA, including coaching the Minnesota Linebackers from 1986-1989 and 1992-1994. He also earned the title of defensive coordinator with the team in 1991.

While his time with Minnesota won’t be the first thing mentioned in any conversation about him, It is one of many stops to play a part in his football life. Kiffin will forever be known for coaching the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that won Super Bowl XXXVII against the Oakland Raiders.

He eventually coached at Tennessee, USC, Florida Atlantic University, and, most recently, Ole Miss with his son Lane Kiffin. He was coaching as a key defensive assistant at the SEC school as recently as 2023 under his son.

Former Vikings WR Nate Burleson named host of ‘Hollywood Squares’

A classic Hollywood game show is returning to TV, and it will be led by a familiar face to football fans, specifically Vikings fans.

A classic Hollywood game show is returning to TV, and it will be led by a familiar face to football fans, specifically Vikings fans.

Former wide receiver Nate Burleson, who serves as an in-studio analyst for CBS’ NFL coverage, is jumping into the host role for a revamped “Hollywood Squares” on that network. The game show originally started in 1966 and has gone through various starts and stops.

Burleson will work alongside actress and talk show host Drew Barrymore, who will reside in the famed Center Square. It is important to note that this role will not affect his work with the network’s NFL coverage.

Burleson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2003 NFL draft. In three years for the Vikings he caught 127 passes for 1,789 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also played for the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions in his career.

Teddy Bridgewater, the coach, shows he can still play quarterback

The former first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings is now a high school coach, but that doesn’t mean his arm is gone from the equation.

The former first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings is now a high school coach, but that doesn’t mean his arm is gone from the equation. The new head coach at Northwest Miami High School had to get back under center for his team.

Bridgewater came in to play quarterback for his team as a way to teach their quarterback and team a valuable lesson. In the video posted to social media, Bridgewater said he wanted his team to realize “you don’t have to create all these massive plays. Just get the ball to your guys.”

If that doesn’t perfectly encapsulate the way Teddy Bridgewater played quarterback, I don’t know what will.

During his four years with the Vikings, the former Louisville Cardinal passed for 6,150 yards and 28 touchdowns. All while leading the team to an 17-11 record as a starter. He also played for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, and Denver Broncos before retiring to coach this past February.