Fran Tarkenton

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Tarkenton's tenure with the Vikings spanned thirteen non-consecutive seasons. He played for Minnesota for six seasons from 1961 to 1966 when he was traded to the New York Giants for five seasons, and then traded back to Minnesota for his last seven seasons from 1972 to 1978. At the time of his retirement, Tarkenton was the all-time NFL career leader in numerous records (including career passing touchdowns, yards, and completions). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.

In Their Own Story

On September 17 of his rookie season, the Minnesota Vikings faced their first-ever opponent as an expansion team, though this specific contest was against the Dallas Cowboys in Sioux Falls. Shortly after, on September 17, they met the Chicago Bears. Tarkenton, only 21 years old, did not start but entered the game off the bench. The situation required immediate leadership. He took control, passing for 250 yards and finding the end zone four times through the air. He also contributed on the ground, rushing for another touchdown. The Vikings secured a 37–13 victory, marking a bright spot in a season where the new franchise struggled to win games. This performance set the tone for Tarkenton's career as a clutch performer who could change a game instantly upon entering.

Reader's Guide

Tarkenton was born on February 3, 1940, in Richmond, Virginia. He went to Athens High School in Athens, Georgia, and later attended the University of Georgia. Under head coach Wally Butts and with Tarkenton as quarterback, Georgia won the Southeastern Conference championship in 1959. Tarkenton was a first-team All-SEC selection in both 1959 and 1960. The expansion Minnesota Vikings selected Tarkenton in the third round (29th overall) of the 1961 NFL draft. He played his first NFL game in Sioux Falls, South Dakota against the Dallas Cowboys. On September 17 against the Chicago Bears, he came off the bench to lead the Vikings to a 37–13 victory by passing for 250 yards and four touchdown passes and running for another. He played for the Vikings from 1961 through 1966, then was traded to the New York Giants in March 1967. He was traded back to the Vikings in January 1972. Tarkenton led the Vikings to three NFC championships, but the Vikings lost each ensuing Super Bowl. He won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award in 1975. He was selected to play in nine Pro Bowls. On May 8, 1979, he announced his retirement.

Did You Know?

• Tarkenton was the only player in NFL history to pass for four touchdowns in his first NFL game until the feat was repeated by Marcus Mariota in 2015.
• He was ejected from a game in 1974 against the New England Patriots, marking the first quarterback ejection in NFL history.
• Tarkenton founded Tarkenton Software, a computer-program generator company, and later merged with KnowledgeWare.