Countdown to the Minnesota Vikings 2019 season opener: 53 days

Only 53 days remain until the Minnesota Vikings kick off their 2019 season inside U.S. Bank Stadium against the Atlanta Falcons.

For the Minnesota Vikings, the long offseason will be soon over and players will finally arrive at training camp. There are now just 53 days until the Vikings begin their quest back to the playoffs on September 8 against the Atlanta Falcons.

However, number 53 holds a lot of significance to the team. In fact, one of the greatest players in Vikings history wore that number for many years and the no. 53 is one of six numbers retired by the franchise.

It was worn by Hall of Fame center Mick Tingelhoff.

Tingelhoff signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska in 1962. He spent his entire 17-year career with Minnesota and never missed a game (started all 240 games he appeared in). He also appeared in all 19 playoff games. 

He was a six-time Pro Bowler and a five-time first-team All-Pro selection. Tingelhoff finally got his call to the Hall in 2015. He is also one of only 11 former Vikings to appear in all of the team’s four Super Bowl appearances.

His former quarterback Fran Tarkenton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and never returned to Canton until Tingelhoff finally got in.

"“I’m very happy about Mick,” Tarkenton said according to the Pioneer Press. “He’s well deserving. He’s waited 37 years, and now we need to get (defensive end) Jim Marshall in. That’s the next guy.”"

Tingelhoff not only made life easier for Tarkenton, but also running back Chuck Foreman, who rushed for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons (1975-1977).

He will forever remain one of the best players in franchise history and the legacy Tingelhoff left behind is one the Minnesota Vikings and fans won’t likely forget any time soon…especially since no other player in the future of the team will ever wear jersey number 53.