Some great players have worn purple and gold for the Minnesota Vikings over the years and five of them are up for the College Football Hall of Fame.
There have been many players in Minnesota Vikings history who have accumulated a number of accolades over their careers. Some earn recognition for their play at the NFL level while others excelled in college but didn’t accomplish as much as a pro.
Recently, the 2020 College Football Hall of Fame ballot was released and five individuals who spent some time with the Vikings were included among the 81 players up for the honor of being inducted.
Here are the five former Minnesota Vikings up for the honor:
- Morten Andersen, kicker – The “Great Dane” only spent one season with the Vikings, staying most of his career with the Saints or the Falcons. He made 81.8% of his field goals with Minnesota and 100% of his extra points. He is also in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Eric Bieniemy, running backs coach – While he never played for Minnesota, he was on the coaching staff from 2006 through 2010. Under his guidance, Adrian Peterson led the NFL in rushing in 2008 and the NFC in 2007. Bieniemy also worked as the team’s assistant head coach for the offense.
- Brad Culpepper, defensive tackle – Culpepper had most of his success with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but was a 10th round pick of the Vikings in 1992. He would go on to appear on two seasons of the popular TV show Survivor.
- E.J. Henderson, linebacker – Spending his entire nine seasons in the NFL with the Vikings after being a second-round pick in 2003, Henderson stuck with the organization following his retirement as a player to assist and coach kids with the team’s Youth Football program.
- Steve Hutchinson, guard – One of the best interior linemen in recent history, Hutchinson blocked in Minnesota from 2006 through 2011. He is currently one of the candidates hoping to get in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after 12 seasons in the NFL.
Voting will take place among all members of the committee and will end on June 21. Those chosen for induction will be revealed in Jan. 2020 in the days before the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship in New Orleans. Best of luck to all the former Minnesota Vikings up for the honor.