Since the late
1960s, the Vikings have been one of the most consistently successful
franchises in the NFL. During the 1970s head coach Bud Grant steered
the team to four Super Bowls. Quarterback Fran Tarkenton, who spent
much of his career with the Vikings, became the most prolific passer
in NFL history, compiling the most career yards, completions, and
touchdown passes during his 15 years in the league. (Tarkenton’s
records were broken by Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins in 1995.)
Grant also assembled one of the fiercest defenses in NFL history.
Known collectively as the Purple People Eaters, players such as
linemen Carl Eller, Jim Marshall, and Alan Page “devoured”
opposing offenses.
The Vikings
joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1961 and selected Fran Tarkenton
in the NFL draft. The franchise got off to a slow start, producing
only one winning record in its first seven seasons. In 1967 Minnesota
traded Tarkenton to the New York Giants for the rights to four draft
picks. These picks yielded several talented rookies, including Alan
Page.
In the 1968
season Bud Grant guided the Vikings to the NFC Central Division
championship. A year later, Minnesota’s defense, the league’s
toughest, powered the Vikings to Super Bowl IV, where the team lost
to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Vikings’ offensive performance
in 1969 was also the league’s best. Quarterback Joe Kapp directed
a balanced unit that relied on both running and passing.
In the 1970s
safety Paul Krause and linemen Page, Carl Eller, and Jim Marshall
anchored the era’s most feared defensive unit, which ranked
first in the NFC five times from 1969 to 1976. Minnesota dominated
the NFC Central Division during this time, and in 1971 Page became
the first defensive player to receive the most valuable player (MVP)
award. Tarkenton returned to the Vikings in 1972 and subsequently
piloted the team to three Super Bowl appearances. Running back Chuck
Foreman and wide receivers John Gilliam and Ahmad Rashad were his
favorite targets. An elusive scrambler, Tarkenton also used his
agility to confound opponents. He was named league MVP in 1975.
Although they
were clearly the NFC’s dominant club, the Vikings repeatedly
fell to their American Football Conference (AFC) opponents in the
Super Bowl. Minnesota lost to the Miami Dolphins 24-7 in 1974, to
the Pittsburgh Steelers 16-6 in 1975, and to the Oakland Raiders
32-14 in 1977.
Many of the
star Viking players retired by 1979, and the team entered a period
of decline, but Minnesota soon recovered its success with a collection
of new stars. From the mid-1980s through the late 1990s, the Vikings
consistently recorded winning records, and the club reached the
NFC Championship Game after the 1987 and 1998 seasons. Stars for
the Vikings during this time included quarterbacks Tommy Kramer,
Warren Moon, and Wade Wilson, and wide receiver Anthony Carter,
who produced three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Safety Joey Browner
and linemen Chris Doleman, Keith Millard, and John Randle were among
the league’s premier defensive players.
1970 Super Bowl
IV Lost to Kansas City Chiefs, 23-7
1974 Super Bowl
VIII Lost to Miami Dolphins, 24-7
1975 Super Bowl
IX Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers, 16-6
1977 Super Bowl
XI Lost to Oakland Raiders, 32-14
