Ahmad Rashad on Vikings Ring of Honor: ‘Once a Viking, always a Viking’

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Sportscaster Ahmad Rashad watches the men's final between Andre Agassi and Roger Federer of Switzerland at the US Open at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on September 11, 2005 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Sportscaster Ahmad Rashad watches the men's final between Andre Agassi and Roger Federer of Switzerland at the US Open at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on September 11, 2005 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Former NFL wide receiver Ahmad Rashad calls entering the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor “the most important thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Younger fans of the Minnesota Vikings may not remember Ahmad Rashad from his time in the NFL. Watching him host NBA Inside Stuff and NBA Inside Access probably make many people associate him with basketball instead of football.

However, Rashad’s legacy on the NFL is not forgotten. The four-time Pro Bowl and one-time All-Pro left his mark on Minnesota sports as a wide receiver from 19761982, pairing up with quarterback Tommy Kramer to give fans some unforgettable moments.

Perhaps the biggest moment of Rashad’s career came in December of 1980 when he was part of the “Miracle at the Met” where the Vikings came from behind to beat the Browns and lock up the NFC Central division title.

Ahmad Rashad will be honored during the Vikings week 4 game against the Detroit Lions, where he will enter the team’s Ring of Honor. Recently, Rashad spoke about the honor on the official Vikings website:

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"“I’ve won Emmy Awards. I’ve won receiving titles, all of those things, but this is closer to my heart,” Rashad said this summer when his selection was announced. “I’ve always said that, ‘Once a Viking, always a Viking.’ You don’t ever get out of that, and [the Wilf Family ownership group] has shown that; that it is a wonderful fraternity. We respect everybody.”"

Calling entering the Ring of Honor “the most important thing that’s ever happened to me,” Rashad’s love for the franchise, owners, teammates, and fans extends far beyond just his accomplishments on the field. He personally takes great pride in everything Minnesota has to offer.

"“Looking at this, I don’t think there’s anything in my athletic career that can top this honor. There’s just absolutely nothing else.”"

Next: Watch Randy Moss enter Vikings Ring of Honor

With 2 seasons over 1,000 yards and a grand total of 6,831 receiving yards combined with 44 touchdowns in his career, Rashad is well deserving of a place in the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor and it should make for a fantastic moment at U.S. Bank Stadium this Sunday.

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