Chuck Foreman

Team Number:	44
Birth Date:	10/26/1950
Height:	6'2"
Weight:	210lbs.
Position:	Running Back

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Walter E. “Chuck” Forman was born on October 26, 1950 in Frederick, Maryland. He attended the University of Miami in Florida where he played as a defensive back, two years as a running back and then used mostly as a wide receiver in 1972, his senior year. The Minnesota Vikings selected Chuck Foreman in the first round in 1973, selecting him twelfth overall.

The Minnesota Vikings mainly used Chuck Foreman as a running back, but he was also used as a receiver out of the backfield. He was a consensus choice as the National Football Conference rookie of the year in 1973, when he rushed for 801 yards on 182 attempts and caught 37 passes for 362 yards. Chuck rushed for 76 yards and 1 touchdown in Minnesota's 27-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the conference championship game, but was held to only 18 yards when the Vikings lost 24-7 to the Miami Dolphins in the Super Bowl.

He was named the 1973 NFL and Offensive Rookie of the Year, NFC Rookie of the Year and 1974 NFC Player of the Year. He was named conference player of the year by The Sporting News in 1974 and by United Press International in 1976. He was named to the All-Pro Team in 1975 and 1976 and played in five consecutive Pro Bowls, 1973 through 1977.

In 1975, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Chuck Foreman came close to leading the NFC in receptions and rushing yardage. He caught 73 passes to lead the conference and finished just 6 yards behind Jim Otis of the St. Louis Cardinals in rushing. Chuck Foreman's 22 touchdowns tied Gale Sayers' former record, but O. J. Simpson scored 23 that season to break it.

A knee injury bothered Chuck Foreman throughout the 1978 season, when he gained just 749 yards on 237 attempts, an average of only 3.2 per carry, and a rib injury forced him into a backup role in 1979. Foreman was then traded to the New England Patriots, where he spent the 1980 season before retiring.

He was one of only two rookies to lead the Minnesota Vikings team in rushing and led the team on the ground for six consecutive seasons, also a team record. He owns the top two rushing attempt totals in team history with 280 in 1975 and 278 yards in 1976. He scored 13 rushing touchdowns in 1975 and 1976 to tie for the team record. He has three of the top six single-season rushing totals ever by a Viking with 1,155 yards in 1976, 1,112 yards in 1977 and 1,070 yards in 1975. Amazingly, the 1000+ rushing yard seasons were even consecutive. He is second in team history for career rushing yardage and has the single best rushing day in team history with his 200-yard performance against the Eagles on 10/24/76. His 33 carries against San Diego on 11/23/75 and Detroit 12/18/77 are tied for the most by a Viking in team history.

With the Minnesota Vikings, Chuck Foreman rushed for a total of 5,950 yards and 53 touchdowns in 1,556 carries, averaging 3.8 yards per attempt, and caught 350 passes for 3,156 yards, a 9.0 average, and 23 touchdowns. He played in three Super Bowls with the Minnesota Vikings.

Chuck Foreman was one of the greatest running backs in Minnesota Vikings team history. Most recently, he has been spotted substitute teaching in Minnesota. Chuck Foreman’s dedication to the community, team records and outstanding play definitely make him a Minnesota Vikings great!