John Randle

Lore & Background

Born in Mumford, Texas, Randle was raised in poverty and worked odd jobs when he was young. His brother Ervin played as a linebacker in the NFL for eight years. Randle played high school football in Hearne, Texas. He started his college playing career at Trinity Valley Community College, before transferring to Texas A&M University–Kingsville. He was signed by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent after the 1990 NFL draft. He is considered one of the greatest undrafted players of all time.

In Their Own Story

The cold wind howled across the frozen turf of the Metrodome as the clock ticked down in the fourth quarter. John Randle adjusted his helmet, eyes locked on the quarterback's stance. With a violent burst off the line, he shed a blocker with ease, his massive frame surging forward like a freight train. The QB scrambled, but there was nowhere to run; Randle's arm shot out, wrapping around the ball carrier and driving him into the turf, sealing another victory for the Vikings.

Reader's Guide

Randle went undrafted; he tried out for his brother's team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but at 6'1" and 244 pounds was thought to be too small, and was not signed. The Vikings picked him up after the draft on Head Scout Don Deisch's recommendation. They told Randle he would be picked up only if he came back with his weight over 250, so when he was weighed in he hid a chain under his sweats. He played his first season in 1990. He went to his first Pro Bowl in 1993 after recording 11.5 sacks. He recorded double-digit sacks during nine different seasons, including a career-high and league-leading 15.5 in 1997. In a 1999 game against the 49ers, he recorded his only career interception. He was known for eccentric face painting and trash-talking. He had an ongoing rivalry with Packers quarterback Brett Favre, whom he sacked more than any other quarterback. Randle's pass-rushing techniques were motion-captured for 989 Sports's NFL Xtreme series. He was the cover athlete for the second game in the series. At the end of the 2000 season, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks. In his first season with the Seahawks, he earned an invite to the Pro Bowl, the last of his career. Randle retired in 2004. He had planned to retire in 2003, but Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren convinced him to stay one more year. The Seahawks made the playoffs in 2003 but did not reach the Super Bowl, losing in the Wild Card Round to the Packers. Randle also acquired his final sack in 2003. He left the NFL tied with Richard Dent for fifth in career sacks. His 137.5 sacks remain the second-highest total by a defensive tackle in NFL history, below fellow Vikings legend Alan Page, who had 148.5. Over his career, he was named to seven Pro Bowl squads. He was named All Tackle Machine of 1999 by Tackle: The Magazine.

Did You Know?

• Randle was a six-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler.
• He recorded a career-high and league-leading 15.5 sacks in 1997.
• He sacked Brett Favre more than any other quarterback.
• Randle starred in a commercial where he sewed a miniature Favre jersey onto a live chicken and chased it.
• He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.