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Minnesota Vikings get a visit from Alan Page at training camp

By Adam Carlson

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The Minnesota Vikings recently got a visit from Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle Alan Page during their August training camp session.  Page was a part of the Vikings team during the Purple People Eaters era, where the domination of the defensive line was noted league-wide.

Sep 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; A detail of a Minnesota Vikings helmet on the field before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Page is the most recent of the Minnesota Vikings legends that have been brought in to talk to the team.  Former players and coaches like Jerry Burns and Mick Tingelfhoff have also been a part of the program that has these figures from the team’s history speak with players and coaches.  In a recent episode of the Purple People Podcast, my co-host Kyle West and I were discussing how Alan Page speaking with the team would be an excellent thing, so we’re both happy to see it happen.

According to an article on the ESPN website, head coach Mike Zimmer read off the statistics of the former NFL Most Valuable Player and 9-time Pro Bowl selection to the players of the Minnesota Vikings.  The response he got was one of awe.

"“His stats — I happened to read them out in front of the team, and these guys couldn’t believe all the things that he did,” Zimmer said. “I like doing that with these former players. It gives them a chance to understand a little bit about how we want to go about getting to that spot.”"

Alan Page will have a lot of time on his hands now that he reached the mandatory retirement age to hold a seat on the Minnesota Supreme Court.  However, don’t expect Page to sit idly by.  He still does tons of work around Minnesota, especially when it comes to race-related community outreach programs and equality.  The fact that he took time out of his schedule to visit with the team is a great opportunity for the young players, and one that Page has now done for two seasons in a row.

Hopefully, that trend of Alan Page visiting the Minnesota Vikings during training camp will continue.  Not only was he a fantastic football player, but he’s a well-spoken individual who can teach both players and coaches a lot about the sport as well as helping out the community and following your dreams.

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews

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