The Viking Age
FanSided

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

By Adam Carlson

(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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23 Sep 1996: Defensive tackle John Randle of the Minnesota Vikings sits on the bench during a game against the New York Giants at Giant Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 15-10. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
23 Sep 1996: Defensive tackle John Randle of the Minnesota Vikings sits on the bench during a game against the New York Giants at Giant Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 15-10. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport /

6. John Randle

  • Position: Defensive tackle
  • Years with Vikings: 1990–2000
  • Years in the NFL: 1990–2003
  • Other teams associated with: Seattle Seahawks
  • Enshrinement year: 2010

One of the greatest underdog stories in the NFL, John Randle had to conquer others overlooking him his entire career. Because of his smaller size and small school pedigree, he went undrafted in 1990 and was signed as a free agent by the Vikings.

Minnesota gave him time to acclimate to the NFL and when the 6-foot-1 and 244-pound defensive lineman got his opportunity to shine, he impressed in a massive way. He went on to be the NFL’s leader in sacks during the 1997 season, making all the teams who passed on him look silly.

Over the course of his career, he registered 555 total tackles, with 137.5 of those being sacks. To this day, he is still the Vikings franchise record holder in total sacks while with the team with 114 quarterback takedowns.

He has accumulated a ton of honors in his career, including seven Pro Bowl nods, six All-Pro honors, being named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, and earning a spot in the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor.

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