The 30 greatest Minnesota Vikings players of all-time
By Adam Patrick
(1968-81). Ron Yary. 8. player. 60. . OT
All-time Greatest Minnesota Vikings: No. 8 – Ron Yary
Expectations were high for Ron Yary out of USC. The Vikings made him the first offensive lineman in draft history to be chosen with the first overall selection in 1968. The offensive tackle did not disappoint.
Settling in at right tackle, Yary would start 199 games for Minnesota. He would be part of the teams that would win 11 division titles and participate in all four of the team’s Super Bowl appearances. Yary was a part of the 1969 NFL Championship squad.
Yary was the epitome of toughness. If not for a broken ankle, which caused him to miss two games, the hard-nosed tackle wouldn’t have missed a single game other than those he was absent for due to his military commitment.
The awards Yary earned alone are enough to realize how important he was to the Vikings. Seven Pro Bowls, eight All-Pro Team nods, the 50 Greatest Vikings, the Vikings Ring of Honor, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame are among his top honors as a pro. However, the accolades alone don’t show the impact Yary had on the football field. He was a reliable, tough, athletic offensive lineman, which is rare in the national football league.
– AC