Remembering former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp

The Minnesota Vikings lost a key member of their family and shared their mourning for the loss of former quarterback Joe Kapp.

Late Monday evening, it was announced that former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp passed away. Kapp is a quarterback who isn't mentioned enough when talking about the history of the franchise.

Kapp played for the Canadian Football League as well as Washington and the Boston Patriots in the NFL but is best known for being a part of the Purple People Eaters era of Vikings history, especially during the 1969 NFL Championship season.

Although he only played in 40 games over four seasons with Minnesota, he made that time count by helping the purple and gold continue their dominance during the late-1960s by taking over for Fran Tarkenton after he was traded to the Giants.

What made Joe Kapp unique for the Minnesota Vikings?

Kapp was acquired by the Vikings in an unusual "trade" with the BC Lions of the CFL. Minnesota GM Jim Finks and head coach Bud Grant liked the idea of him taking over for Tarkenton to pair with their stout defense.

His first season in Minnesota wasn't great. Kapp led the Vikings to a 3-5-3 record while throwing only eight touchdowns compared to 17 interceptions in 1967. However, his 1968 campaign would result in the first-ever Minnesota playoff berth but didn't result in a contract extension.

1969 was the pinnacle of Kapp's NFL career. Minnesota finished the season with a 12-2 record but fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV.

With the Vikings moving on to Gary Cuozzo at quarterback, Kapp joined the struggling Patriots but declined to sign an extension after they drafted Jim Plunkett, prompting Boston newspapers to run with the narrative that "Kapp Quits" on their team. He filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the NFL and won the summary judgment.

Although Kapp wouldn't play again in the NFL, he still made appearances on television. He would act in roles on television and movies, including the 1974 classic "The Longest Yard", as well as going on to be the head coach of the University of California, Berkeley in 1982.

Joe Kapp left a huge impact on not only the Vikings but professional football as a whole. He was unique and charismatic on and off the field. Huge thanks go out to Kapp for everything he's done for the franchise to help establish the Purple People Eater era as a time of greatness.