Thinking back to 2014, the lead-up to the NFL Draft was particularly interesting because fans and experts had no idea what the Minnesota Vikings were going to do with the No. 9 overall pick in the first round.
Rumors began to swirl of the Vikings' interest in multiple college prospects, but a name that was rarely heard was UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr. An outside linebacker who was good at rushing the edge, he seemed like a poor fit for Minnesota's 4-3 defense.
It was shocking with general manager Rick Spielman made the pick to bring Barr to the purple and gold. Head coach Mike Zimmer seemed like a kid in a candy store with his new defensive toy while everyone else attempted to figure out how he would fit into the team's defensive scheme.
The Minnesota Vikings celebrated the career of linebacker Anthony Barr on Monday as he retired as a member of the purple and gold.
Barr's speed and athleticism only added to his value as a defender. Those qualities allowed Zimmer to drop the linebacker into coverage, have him rush the passer, help in run support, or anything else the Minnesota Vikings asked of him.
After nine total seasons with Minnesota (and one with Dallas), Anthony Barr decided to hang up his cleats. His retirement from the NFL is well-deserved after 554 combined tackles, four Pro Bowl nods, 18.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, and five interceptions in 116 games played.
The official X account of the Vikings shared their celebration of Barr's career as well as live-streamed a conference where the former Minnesota linebacker spoke.
Today we're recognizing and celebrating @AnthonyBarr's career.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 1, 2025
Barr, a 4-time Pro Bowler and the 2021 #Vikings Man of the Year, exemplified what it means to be a Viking both on and off the field. pic.twitter.com/46PxV74Cb4
Former UCLA and Minnesota Vikings teammate Eric Kendricks was on hand to introduce Barr. He shared a lighthearted story about Barr before the guest of honor took the podium to thank a large number of those he interacted with during his career.
Barr made a point in his speech to emphasize how important it was for him to retire with the Vikings. His passion and appreciation for Minnesota were evident, especially when it came to talking about former head coach Mike Zimmer and the Wilf family.
Enjoy your retirement, Anthony Barr. Congratulations and thanks for everything. The linebacker provided fans with numerous memories to cherish, including a harrowing Subway bust, a controversial sack on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and a legacy of giving back to the community and showing appreciation to everyone.