Tag: Chris Doleman

Danielle Hunter passes Jared Allen on all-time sacks list

Hunter now ranks fifth all-time in Vikings sacks

The Minnesota Vikings have had some prolific sack artists in the history of the franchise. From Carl Eller to Chris Doleman and Everson Griffen, the Vikings have had historically great rushers.

On Saturday afternoon, Danielle Hunter registered his 86.5th career sack, passing Jared Allen for fifth on the all-time list for the Vikings.

Hunter registered two sacks in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals with one against tight end Tanner Hudson on a tight end screen.

Hunter also sits tied for fifth all-time in single season sacks with 15 so far this season tied with John Randle who also had 15.5 sacks in 1997.

Hunter is primed to have even more throughout the rest of the season on one of the best defenses in the National Football League.

56 days until Vikings season opener: Every player to wear No. 56

We take a look at everyone who’s worn No. 56 for the Minnesota Vikings as we continue to countdown towards the start of the season.

It’s the final countdown…

Well, sort of.

The Minnesota Vikings will kick off their 2023 regular season in 56 days at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 10.

From now until then, we will take a trip down memory lane and count each day by revisiting the players that have worn that specific jersey number.

Garrett Bradbury currently wears the number for the Minnesota Vikings, but E.J. Henderson and Chris Doleman headline the list of players to wear No. 56 for the Vikings.

With 56 days until kickoff, here’s a look at every player to wear No. 56 with the Vikings (via Pro Football Reference):

The Vikings have drafted 8 Hall of Fame players

Throughtout the storied history of the Minnesota Vikings, they have drafted eight players currently in the Hall of Fame.

The Minnesota Vikings have seen a lot of success in the NFL draft. They have drafted multiple Hall of Fame players and a ton of Pro Bowlers.

Their success, like any team, has seen their fair share of ups and downs in the draft Their biggest successes came in the 1960’s with multiple Hall of Fame players taken in the first round.

Overall, the Vikings have drafted eight Hall of Fame players to date with more potentially joining them in the coming years.

Everson Griffen has opportunity to cement legacy with Vikings if he returns

Last week, Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen opted out of his contract with team, becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Last week, Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen opted out of his contract with team, becoming an unrestricted free agent.

At 32 years old, Griffen can still play. He recorded eight sacks last season and we saw the explosiveness that made him so good during the prime of his career.

Where will Griffen play next?

It could be Seattle, to reunite with college coach Pete Carroll. There are also a handful of other teams that make sense.

Or it could be back to the Vikings, if they are able to create enough cap room to bring back Griffen and start him opposite Danielle Hunter.

If Griffen were able to sign with the Vikings and finish his career in Minnesota, it’s something fans would obviously love. But it’s also significant historically.

Griffen has 74.5 career sacks, just 24.5 away from 100 in his career. Griffen is 11 sacks away from Jared Allen’s spot for third all-time in team history, and 22 back from Chris Doleman for second.

Through his career, per Spotrac, Griffen has made nearly $56 million. That number will certainly pass $60 million this offseason.

WATCH: NFL holds moment of silence for lives lost in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash

The NFL held a moment of silence to honor those lost in the helicopter crash that saw Kobe Bryant and 8 others perish.

The NFL honored the memory of Kobe Bryant, the eight other victims lost in last Sunday’s helicopter crash in Calabasas, (CA) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Chris Doleman, who passed away during the week after a battle with brain cancer. The moment of silence happened immediately prior to Super Bowl LIV between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49er at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, (FL).

Both teams stood on their respective 24-yard lines during the touching moment.

Terrell Suggs wore No. 56 growing up because of Chris Doleman

Doleman’s 150.5 career sacks rank fifth all-time and he’ll go down as one of the best and tenacious pass rushers in NFL history. 

The NFL community received word on Wednesday morning that Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman passed on Tuesday night after a two-year battle with brain cancer.

Doleman’s 150.5 career sacks rank fifth all-time and he’ll go down as one of the best and tenacious pass rushers in NFL history.

More than that, he’ll go down as a teammate and opponent that everyone seemed to respect.

Doleman was also a role model for younger players.

One of those players is future Hall of Famer Terrell Suggs, who was raised in Minnesota’s and grew up during Doleman’s rise.

Suggs, a few days away from appearing in the Super Bowl for the Chiefs, was told of the news on Wednesday and he informed the media that he wore No. 56 growing up because of Doleman.

You can see the full quote below via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

After wearing No. 55 for years with the Ravens, Suggs is back to wearing No. 56.

It seems fitting that Suggs is the active player closest to Doleman on the all-time sack list. Suggs has 139 career sacks, good for eighth in NFL history.

NFL Hall of Famer Chris Doleman dies at age 58 after battle with cancer

The NFL is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame former defensive lineman Chris Doleman, who died Tuesday night at the age of 58 after a battle with cancer.

The NFL is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame former defensive lineman Chris Doleman, who died Tuesday night at the age of 58 after a battle with cancer.

NFL Hall of Famer Chris Doleman dies at age 58 after battle with cancer (Vikingswire)

The NFL is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame former defensive lineman Chris Doleman, who died Tuesday night at the age of 58 after a battle with cancer.

The NFL is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame former defensive lineman Chris Doleman, who died Tuesday night at the age of 58 after a battle with cancer.

NFL Hall of Famer Chris Doleman dies at age 58 after battle with cancer (Ninerswire)

The NFL is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame former defensive lineman Chris Doleman, who died Tuesday night at the age of 58 after a battle with cancer.

The NFL is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame former defensive lineman Chris Doleman, who died Tuesday night at the age of 58 after a battle with cancer.

Sports world reacts to Chris Doleman’s death

Upon hearing the news, those around the NFL and sports world shared their thoughts on the world losing Chris Doleman at age 58.

We all received the unfortunate news that Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman passed away on Tuesday night after at two-year battle with brain cancer. Doleman was just 58 years old.

Upon hearing the news, those around the NFL and sports world shared their thoughts on the world losing a legend, a great man, and a great competitor.