The Viking Age
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Former Vikings center and Hall of Famer Jim Langer has passed away

ByAdam Carlson|
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 28: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been shot in black and white. Color version not available.) Running back Norm Bulaich #31 of the Miami Dolphins runs behind the blocking of center Jim Langer #62 and guard Bob Kuechenberg #67 as defensive linemen Walter Johnson #71 and Jerry Sherk #72 and linebacker Bob Babich #60 of the Cleveland Browns pursue the play as snow falls during a game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on November 28, 1976 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Dolphins 17-13. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 28: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been shot in black and white. Color version not available.) Running back Norm Bulaich #31 of the Miami Dolphins runs behind the blocking of center Jim Langer #62 and guard Bob Kuechenberg #67 as defensive linemen Walter Johnson #71 and Jerry Sherk #72 and linebacker Bob Babich #60 of the Cleveland Browns pursue the play as snow falls during a game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on November 28, 1976 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Dolphins 17-13. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

Former Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings center as well as Pro Football Hall of Fame member Jim Langer has passed away at the age of 71.

When talking about great accomplishments that have been made in NFL history, several of those accolades can be attributed to or belong to former Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings center Jim Langer.

Not only is Langer considered one of the greatest centers ever to play the game of football, but he was a part of a Dolphins squad which won two Super Bowls and was the starting center on the now-famous 1972 Miami team.

Best known for his time with the Dolphins, Langer spent the final two seasons of his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings after being acquired in a trade.

Langer coming to Minnesota was not only a big move for the Vikings but it also brought the Pro Football Hall of Fame member back home, since he was born in Little Falls, Minnesota and passed away in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

The undrafted free agent passed away on Friday, Aug. 30. Pro Football Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker issued a statement on Langer’s passing, which was shared by NFL.com:

"“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame mourns the passing of Jim Langer. He lived an incredible life. From a free agent to a Bronzed Bust, Jim’s selfless sacrifice, perseverance and never giving up on his goal are important life lessons that can inspire us all. He was the ultimate teammate. His contributions to this game, especially how integral he was to the Miami Dolphins’ sustained success throughout the 1970s, will live forever in Canton, Ohio where the Hall of Fame flag now flies at half-staff in his memory.”"

Over the course of his 12-year professional football career, Langer racked up a ton of accolades, including being a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee, earning six Pro Bowl nods and landing on the All-Pro first and second-team rosters six times. In addition, the award for NCAA Division II’s best offensive lineman is named after him.

The NFL world, as well as fans of the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins, lost one of the league’s best players on Friday. We at The Viking Age would like to offer our condolences to friends and family of the Langer family and will not forget his contributions to the sport of football.

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