5 former Vikings that won a Super Bowl after leaving Minnesota
By Randy Smith
Matt Birk – C (Baltimore Ravens)
Bryant McKinnie’s teammate in Minnesota served also as a beneficiary of the Ravens’ win over the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. Matt Birk, a sixth-round pick from Harvard, was drafted by the Vikings in 1998, playing center until his departure in 2008.
In his time with Minnesota, Birk appeared in six Pro Bowls, tying Hall of Famer Mick Tinglehoff’s record for most Pro Bowl appearances by a Vikings center. Additionally, Birk was named Second-Team All-Pro in 2003.
After winning the Super Bowl with the Ravens, Birk quickly retired from the NFL in 2013. However, he quickly made it known who he spent most of his career with, serving as an honorary captain for the Vikings in their last game at the Metrodome in 2013.
Though a Vikings legend, Birk, like others was only to obtain a Super Bowl once he left the land of 10,000 lakes.
Both Birk and McKinnie also share a trait outside of winning a Super Bowl in Baltimore, and that’s blocking for the next player on this list who won a Super Bowl after leaving Minnesota.