Fran Tarkenton

Team Number:	10
Birth Date:	02/03/1940
Height:	6'0''
Weight:	190lbs.
Position:	Quarterback

More Info
Francis Asbury "Fran" Tarkenton was born on February 3, 1940 in Richmond, Virginia. He attended the University of Georgia where he was named All-American in football as well as being named to the All-American Academic team. He was named MVP of the Hula Bowl after completing 19 of 33 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Fran also lettered in baseball and finished his degree in business administration before being drafted in 1961 by the Minnesota Vikings in the 3rd round.

Fran Tarkenton started his professional football career in 1961 with a bang. In the Minnesota Vikings first franchise game ever, rookie Tarkenton came off the bench to fire four touchdown passes and ran for a fifth in a big 37-13 upset of the Chicago Bears. He ended up second in Rookie of the Year voting and also established a NFL record for most consecutive passes completed; throwing 13 balls in a 42-21 win vs. Los Angeles. His breakout year he finished with an impressive 1,997 yards and 18 touchdowns.

For the next 18 seasons, the 6-0, 190-pound field leader never let up in his persistent quest of yardage and touchdowns. He played relentlessly for the Vikings from 1961 to 1966. He was infamous for dancing around in the backfield to avoid being sacked by the opposition. His ability to take plays from sideline to sideline earned him the nickname of the “scrambler” or “Frantic Fran.”

Fran Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants in 1967 in a deal that netted the Vikings two number one and two number two draft picks over a three-year period. Five seasons later, Fran came back to the Minnesota Vikings in another massive swap that cost the Vikings Norm Snead, Bob Grim, Vince Clements, a first round pick in 1972 and a second round selection in 1973.

In Fran's final seven years with the Vikings (1972-1978), he led Minnesota to six NFC Central Division titles and three Super Bowl appearances. The Minnesota Vikings, along with icy coach Bud Grant, had a volatile combination of Fran Tarkenton’s quick throwing offense and the fearsome “Purple People Eaters” defense. In Tarkenton’s first Super Bowl of the 1973 season, he completed 18 of 28 passes for 182 yards in the 24-7 loss to Miami. The following season, the Minnesota Vikings busted into the Super Bowl again and Fran completed 11 of 27 passes for a measly 102 yards in the 16-6 loss to the Pittsburg Steelers. In Super Bowl XI vs. the Oakland Raiders, Fran Tarkenton again faced a tough loss throwing for 205 yards and completing 17 of 35 passes. Fran and the Vikings struck out trying to win the coveted ring, losing 32-14.

But the worst loss of Fran Tarkenton's career occurred during the 1975 NFC Divisional Playoffs. That year the Vikings had arguably the best team in franchise history, but lost to the Dallas Cowboys 17-14 on a controversial touchdown pass from Dallas' Roger Staubach to Drew Pearson. In addition to the heart-breaking loss, Fran Tarkenton also lost his dad that year. His dad passed away while watching that infamous playoff game.

In his final season in the NFL, Fran Tarkenton led the Vikings to the Central Division Championship in 1978. He threw for a whopping 3,468 yards and 25 touchdowns in his first-and-only 16-game regular season schedule.

In his 18 NFL seasons, Fran Tarkenton completed a record setting 3,686 passes for 47,003 yards and 342 touchdowns. He also used his impressive scrambling ability to rack up 3,674 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns on 675 carries. Add his 3,674 rushing yards to his stunning passing totals and you have 50,677 yards; that’s almost 29 miles or 500 football fields of offensive progression. Not only did Fran Tarkenton have distance, but he had quality too. He boasted an 80.4 passing rating that placed him near the top of other quarterbacks.

Fran Tarkenton won the NFL's MVP award after the 1975 season, capturing All-Pro honors in the process. Tarkenton was also 2nd team All-Pro in 1973 and earned All-NFC selection in 1972 & 1976. Fran was named 2nd team All-NFC in 1970 & 1974. Fran Tarkenton was selected to play in 9 Pro Bowls.

At the time of his retirement, Fran Tarkenton held almost every single NFL passing record. He was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986, and is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time due to his running and passing ability. Unfortunately, his poor performance in 3 Super Bowls and his inability to win a championship ring in 18 seasons prevents many people from considering him as great as other famous quarterbacks like Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas and John Elway. His records were all surpassed by Dan Marino in 1995.

Fran Tarkentons exciting, elusive ability to scramble in the backfield and his innate ability to pass the ball accurately and quickly down field made him one of the most famous Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks of all-time. His remarkable offense statistics and on-field antics make him a definite Viking great.