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Vikings’ Rudolph named 2016 Blue Collar Player of the Year

By Adam Patrick

Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Vikings’ tight end was recognized by a top football website for his impressive performance during the 2016 NFL season.

Despite finishing third among NFL tight ends in receptions during the 2016 season, Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph did not earn himself an invite to the Pro Bowl this year in Orlando, Florida. However, Rudolph’s career season did not go unnoticed.

Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82)celebrates his touchdown catch against the Chicago Bears in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The touchdown set a team record for touchdown receptions by a tight end in a season. The Vikings win 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82)celebrates his touchdown catch against the Chicago Bears in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The touchdown set a team record for touchdown receptions by a tight end in a season. The Vikings win 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

WalterFootball.com recently handed out their annual awards and the Vikings tight end was the only member of the team to be honored for his efforts last season as the site named Rudolph their 2016 Blue Collar Player of the Year.

Their reasoning for selecting the Minnesota tight end as this year’s recipient was pretty simple.

"“Playing all 16 games for the third time in six seasons, Rudolph set career-high figures, catching 83 passes for 840 yards. That’s remarkable, considering that Rudolph spent a lot of time blocking as well. Despite all of this, Rudolph somehow didn’t get voted into the Pro Bowl, which was ridiculous.”"

The site also wrote that the Vikings’ offense, “was a train wreck” in 2016, but Rudolph still found a way to remain a, “constant force,” all season long.

A few previous winners of the award includes wide receiver Anquan Boldin (2014), quarterback Drew Brees (2010), fullback Lorenzo Neal (2006), linebacker Tedy Bruschi (2005), and quarterback Brett Favre (2003).

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Although he did not get the opportunity to join his teammates at the Pro Bowl this year, at least his hard work in 2016 was recognized by a group that actually knows a thing or two about the sport of football. 2012 remains the only year in which Rudolph has appeared in a Pro Bowl during his career and all he did was win that game’s MVP award with his performance.

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