Minnesota Vikings - Blog Posts
#88 Alan Page is one of the all time great defensive tackles in NFL history.
Clint Jones was a running back for the Minnesota Vikings. Played college ball for Michigan State. Was the Vikings 1967 #1 draft choice (one of three along with Gene Washington and Alan Page). The 2nd photo is from a 1967 preseason game against the NY Giants...3rd photo is a 1970 game against the Boston (New England) Patriots. the 4th is a sideline shot of Clint and Gene Washington at Metropolitan Stadium. The 5th is a mock up of a Topps 1970 football card showing a game in 1969 against the Cleveland Browns. The last photo shows QB Joe Kapp #11 handing off to Clint...I am going to guess that is a 1968 game agains the Packers in Milwaukee. (I can see the foul line of the back wall)
Minnesota Fullback Bill Brown. Bill played for the Vikings from 1962 - 1974. The first photo is Bill playing against the Packers and getting the ball from Joe Kapp in 1969. The 2nd photo is from the Kansas City Chiefs game in 1970. #63 is Chiefs linebacker Willie Lanier. The Topps football card is from 1970. Drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1961, Bill was traded to the Vikings in 1962. By the end of his career, he was the Vikings leading career ground gainer. He was tough as nails and dished out as much punishment as he got. Butkas and Nitchke both said he was the toughest running back they faced. He was also an excellent pass receiver for Fran Tarkenton and Joe Kapp. Bill passed away in 2018 at age 80.
#29 Karl Kassulke played safety for the Minnesota Vikings from 1963 through 1972. Karl was a hitter. The first photo is Karl in Super Bowl IV against KC Chiefs tackling running back Mike Garrett. The second photo is at the Vikings Colts Monday night game in 1971. If you get the chance, YouTube the November 15, 1970 game or highlights between the Vikings and the Detroit Lions. He destroyed Lions QB Greg Landry on a safety blitz. Laid him out. It looked like Landry had been shot. Karl was in a motorcycle accident the day before training camp started in 1973 which paralyzed him and ended his career. The 4th photo is Karl in a wheelchair at the Chicago Bears game in 1973 in which the Vikings honored Karl. Former Viking QB Joe Kapp is standing beside Karl as he speaks into a mic in the last photo. Karl passed away in 2008.
One of the better photos I have seen of Viking QB Gary Cuozzo. Gary came to the Vikings in 1968 and backed up Joe Kapp. When Joe held out in 1970, the Vikings traded Joe to the Boston/New England Patriots and Gary was the Vikings starter in 1970 and 1971.
Minnesota Viking Middle Linebacker Lonnie Warwick passed away on October 28, 2024. Lonnie played during the era of Butkus, Nitschke, and Lucci. Drafted by the Vikings in 1965, he played with the Vikings through 1972. He finished his career with the Atlanta Falcons and his first head coach Norm Van Brocklin in 1973 and 1974. He was one rough and tough man. Injuries slowed Lonnie in 1972 opening up the Middle Linebacker position to 1972 Vikings 1st round draft choice Jeff Siemon. RIP Lonnie. A Viking forever!
Vikings vs New York Jets in 1975 game at Metropolitan Stadium. It appears #12 QB Joe Namath has fumbled. #81 for the Vikings is DE Carl Eller and #69 is DT Doug Sutherland. #50 for the Jets is Center Wayne Mulligan. #75 for the New York Jets is Tackle Winston Hill. The Vikings won the game 29-21
Minnesota Viking QB Fran Tarkenton playing the Rams in a 1973 game at Metropolitan Stadium. The Vikings won the game 10-9
1969 Vikings against the Detroit Lions...Joe Kapp getting ready to take the ball from center Mick Tingelhoff. The Vikings won this game 24-10
Joe Kapp in Thanksgiving 1969 game in Detroit. The Vikings won the game 27-0 clinching the Central Division crown.
#62 Guard Ed White for the Minnesota Vikings battles #65 Defensive Tackle Dave Butz of the Washington Redskins. This was from the 1976 division playoff game held at the Met. The Vikings won the game 35-20
1975 Viking - Packer game at a snowy Met. #10 is Fran Tarkenton. #44 is Chuck Foreman. #35 is Robert Miller. At center hiking the ball is Mick Tingelhoff.
From 1964....#81 Carl Eller and Head Coach Norm Van Brocklin celebrate a victory against the Green Bay Packers.
QB #10 Fran Tarkenton passing....Running back #44 Chuck Foreman blocking.
Vikings Coach Bud Grant. I loved those old "Pro" game day programs. Plus they made a really good season review/preview that could be bought at the newsstands.
This photo is from the Vikings first 1971 pre-season game between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings. It was held at Memorial Stadium...home at that time to the Big Ten Minnesota Gophers. #41 Dave Osborn goes up and over. #73 is Viking tackle Ron Yary. At the bottom of the pile is #64 guard Milt Sunde. #53 is Viking center Mick Tingelhoff. Yary and Tingelhoff are in the Hall of Fame. #87 for the Vikings at the far left is tightend John Beasley.
Joe Kapp....I am guessing this is from the Viking - Colt 1968 playoff game won by the Colts 24 - 14
1969 Vikings-Rams division playoff game. QB #11 Joe Kapp scrambling. #57 for the Rams is linebacker Doug Woodlief. #30 for the Vikings is fullback Bill Brown.
Minnesota Viking fullback #30 Bill Brown running against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV held in New Orleans. January 11, 1970.
From the 1969 NFL Championship game between the Vikings and Browns. #11 Joe Kapp hands off to #41 Dave Osborn. #63 is Viking left guard Jim Vellone. #67 at far left is Viking left tackle Grady Alderman. #64 is Viking right guard Milt Sunde.
Minnesota Viking quarterback #10 Fran Tarkenton. The game is at Metropolitan Stadium. I am going to guess the season is 1973. Once in awhile, the Vikings home jerseys did not have the gold and white stripes on the sleeves that season.
Minnesota Viking #81 defensive end Carl Eller #58 is outside linebacker Wally Hilgenberg. This photo is from the 1969 season.
Detroit Lion #52 Middle Lineback Mike Lucci tackles MN Vikings #30 Fullback Bill Brown. This 1967 game at the Met ended in a 10-10 tie. #11 QB Joe Kapp and #53 Center Mick Tingelhoff look on.
LA Rams #75 DE Deacon Jones trying to sack Viking's Quarterback Joe Kapp. This game is the 1969 Divisional Playoff game won by the Vikings 23-20. In the background is Viking kicker #14 Fred Cox. #30 with a jacket on is running back Bill Brown.
1969 Viking - Packer game. This game was held at Memorial Stadium on the University of MN campus. The Twins were using the Met for a playoff series against the Orioles the next day. In the photo, Dave Osborn #41 has just scored a 2nd quarter touchdown to put the Vikings ahead 13-0. The Vikings won the game 19-7. In the photo you see Tight End #89 Kent Kramer, Offensive Guard #64 Milt Sunde and #11 quarterback Joe Kapp walking off the field. #66 for the Packers is Ray Nitschke.
Francis Tarkenton dropping back to pass. I'm guessing this is 1963. #20 behind Fran is running back Tommy Mason. Tommy was the Vikings #1 draft choice in 1961. Fran was drafted in the 3rd round. Just as an FYI, Middle Linebacker Rip Hawkins was the 2nd round draft choice. Pretty good hall for that first draft.
#11 Joe Kapp hands off to #41 Dave Osborn in a 1969 Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit against the Lions. The Vikings won the game 27-0 clinching the Central Division.
Carl Eller against the Rams in Los Angeles. I think this was a 1974 game. I see #10 Fran Tarkenton in the background. #54 is Linebacker Fred McNeil. #84 for the Vikings is Tight End Steve Craig. Coach Bud Grant can be seen through Carls left arm. #84 for the Rams is wide receiver Jack Snow
1969 Vikings - Rams playoff game at the Met. #11 Joe Kapp looking down field. #74 Melin Olsen pressuring Kapp. The Vikings won the game 23-20.