The 30 greatest Minnesota Vikings players of all-time
By Adam Patrick
John Randle. 4. player. 60. . DT. (1990-00)
All-time Greatest Minnesota Vikings: No. 4 – John Randle
Unlike many other players on this list, John Randle’s path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame was met with some massive challenges. After not being drafted, he worked out with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, only to get turned away because of his size.
The 6-foot-1 defensive end got a workout with the Vikings as a favor to head scout Don Deisch and showed enough to earn a spot with the team in 1990. However, through hard work and flashes, the undersized defensive lineman earned a full-time starting job and never looked back.
Randle accumulated nine seasons where he recorded double-digit sacks and recorded 114 total quarterback takedowns during his 11 seasons in Minnesota, adding 25 forced fumbles and 9 fumble recoveries.
For an undrafted free agent who was initially turned away, John Randle went on to earn seven Pro Bowl nods, six All-Pro team honors, went in the Vikings Ring of Honor and made the Pro Football Hall of Fame… and make teams who passed on him due to his size feel quite silly.
– AC