Blessed with incredible mobility, legendary NFL quarterback Fran Tarkenton frustrated pass rushers and defensive backs alike throughout the 1960s and '70s by extending plays with his ability to move around inside and outside the pocket. Routinely, Tarkenton appeared hemmed in by defenders, only to spin, juke, or accelerate his way to safety before connecting with a receiver downfield. By the time he hung up his shoulder pads for the last time, he held just about every major passing record in the NFL.
Drafted in 1961 by the Boston Patriots in the fifth round of the AFL Draft, Tarkenton elected instead to sign with the
Minnesota Vikings, who selected him in the third round of the
NFL Draft that same year. And with four touchdown passes and one rushing score coming off the bench in the very first game of his rookie season, he quickly made an impact on the field as well as in the heart of Minnesota fans.
For the next six seasons, Tarkenton scrambled and passed his way to success with the Vikings. However, his style of play did not fit with what head coach Norm Van Brocklin, a stout believer in the more traditional pocket passer, wanted to do. So, Tarkenton was traded for multiple high draft picks in 1967 to the
New York Giants, who, at the time, were league doormats. Over the next five seasons, Tarkenton led the Giants back to respectability, but a legitimate shot at an NFL championship continued to elude him.
In 1972, Tarkenton was traded back to the Vikings where, over the remaining seven years of his career, he would lead the team to six NFC Central Division championships and three appearances in the Super Bowl. He also earned
NFL MVP honors in 1975. And, although he never did land that coveted NFL title, he retired as one of the greatest signal callers to ever play the game.
Over the 18 years he spent in the NFL, Tarkenton completed 3,686-of-6,467 passes for 47,003 yards and 342 touchdowns, with 266 interceptions. On the ground, he added 3,674 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns on 675 carries. He also is among the all-time leaders for wins by a starting quarterback with 124 regular season victories.
Following his Hall of Fame career, Tarkenton spent time as an announcer in the
Monday Night Football booth from 1979 to 1982. He was also inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1977, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986, the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987, and the Athens (GA) Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.
Born: Francis Asbury Tarkenton - February 3, 1940 - Richmond, Virginia
Drafted: The
Minnesota Vikings selected Frantarkenton in the third round of the 1961 NFL Draft.
Years Played: 1961-1978
Position Played: Quarterback
Uniform Number: 10
Played For:
Minnesota Vikings (1961-1966, 1972-1978)
New York Giants (1967-1971)
Alma Mater: Georgia
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: 1986
Other Members Inducted in 1986: Paul Hornung, Ken Houston, Willie Lanier, Doak Walker
NFL Career Statistics
• Passing - 3,686 completions on 6,467 attempts for 47,003 yards, 342 touchdowns, and 266 interceptions.
• Career Passer Rating: 80.4
• Rushing - 675 attempts for 3,674 yards and 32 touchdowns.
NFL Highlights
• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1986)
• Selected for the Pro Bowl 9 Times (1964, 1966-70, 1974-76)
• Selected First-Team All-Pro 2 Times (1973, 1975)
• Named NFL MVP (1975)
• Named Pro Bowl MVP (1975)
• Bert Bell Award Winner (1975)
