Ranking all the Minnesota Vikings in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
By Adam Carlson
7. Cris Carter
- Position: Wide receiver
- Years with Vikings: 1990–2001
- Years in the NFL: 1987-2002
- Other teams associated with: Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins
- Enshrinement year: 2013
When talking about the best pass catchers ever to suit up for the Vikings, Cris Carter has to be among the first names mentioned. His excellent route running and solid hands made him a favorite target of Minnesota’s quarterbacks for over a decade.
To this day, Carter still leads the Vikings in receiving yards. His 12,383 seems untouchable at this time, with no active Minnesota players anywhere near him. Then again, when you 1,004 passes for the purple and gold, it’s hard to see anyone beating that mark.
Starting out in the NFL, Carter was a 4th round selection by the Eagles in the 1987 Supplemental Draft and was released after the 1989 season due to what would later be revealed to be drug issues.
However, things got better when he arrived in Minnesota and his legacy was cemented following this wake-up call. He was an eight-time Pro Bowl player with three Pro-Bowl selections, winning the Bart Starr Award, Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, being named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, having his number 80 jersey retired, and earning a spot in the Vikings Ring of Honor.