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

23 of 24

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 16: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and college football player Alan Page (L) during an East Room ceremony November 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. The award is the the nation’s highest civilian honor that present to individuals who have made significant contributions to the United States of America. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) /

1. Alan Page

Position: Defensive tackle
Years with Vikings: 1967-1978
Years in the NFL: 1967-1981
Other teams associated with: Chicago Bears
Enshrinement year: 1998

As one of the most interesting players to ever take a football field, Alan Page was always looking out for everyone. Growing up in Canton, Ohio, education was a priority for his family, and he decided at a young age that he wanted to be a lawyer.

However, the legal dreams for Page had to be put on hold. The physically gifted man found a lot of success playing multiple sports in high school and used that opportunity to go to Notre Dame, where he led the team to a National Championship.

Page was a first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 1967, being chosen 15th overall. He spent 12 years with the franchise as part of the now famous Purple People Eaters defense where he earned 9 All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods in addition to being on the 1969 NFL Championship team and named the league’s MVP in 1971. Plus, he was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his efforts off the field.

Page finished his last 4 seasons with the Chicago Bears, but he wasn’t done there. After his NFL career was finished, the defensive lineman returned to his dream of being a lawyer and worked his way up to being Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.

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