Former Vikings DE Carl Eller was a key member of the “Purple People Eaters” and helped Bud Grant’s defenses stifle opposing offenses.
While Eller’s former teammate, Jim Marshall, is yet to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, Eller was inducted in 2004.
Now, there’s another Vikings defensive lineman who is getting close to enshrinement. Jared Allen is one of 15 Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists for 2021. Eller had high praise for Allen:
“It’d be a great honor and I’d love to see him get in,” Eller told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “He had all the tools he needed and he was a great motivator for the team. He’s facing some tough competition, but certainly I think he deserves to be in there.”
We’ll find out whether Allen makes it or not on Saturday. The class will be announced during the broadcast of “NFL Honors,” an awards special at 8 p.m. C.T. on CBS.