Ranking all the Minnesota Vikings in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

10 of 24

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 28: Fans tailgate outside of U.S. Bank Stadium before the Minnesota Vikings play the New Orleans Saints on October 28, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

14. Jim Finks

Position: General manager and quarterback/defensive back
Years with Vikings: 1964–1973
Years in the NFL: 1949–1955, 1964-1992
Other teams associated with: Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints
Enshrinement year: 1995

Selected in the 12th round of the 1949 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jim Finks was a student of the game. He spent 7 years as a quarterback and defensive back before taking a year off and joining the Calgary Stampeders as a player and coach.

In October of 1957, he was named the general manager of the Stampeders and made several personnel moves to turn the franchise around and create historic seasons, opening the eyes of many NFL franchises.

The Minnesota Vikings brought Finks in as their general manager in 1964. He assembled the group now known as the Purple People Eaters, hired head coach Bud Grant, and helped bring the team 11 division championships and 4 Super Bowl appearances in 14 years.

Finks left the Vikings in 1974 to be the general manager and executive vice president of the Chicago Bears. He stayed there through 1982 when he joined the Chicago Cubs for 2 seasons and finished his executive career with the New Orleans Saints from 1986–1992.

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