Fran Tarkenton
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Fran Tarkenton’s storied NFL career began in 1961 as the dynamic, young quarterback for the expansion Minnesota Vikings. After six seasons electrifying fans, he was traded to the New York Giants in 1967, where he continued to reshape the position with his trademark escapability, improvisational brilliance and early integration of concepts that later would evolve into the “West Coast Offense.” In 1972, Tarkenton was traded back to Minnesota, setting the stage for the most prolific stretch of his career and cementing his legacy as one of the great pioneers to play quarterback.
In Minnesota’s first game, the rookie from Georgia came off the bench and immediately announced his arrival, firing four touchdown passes and rushing for a fifth in a stunning 37-13 upset of the Chicago Bears. For the next 18 seasons, the 6-foot, 190-pound Tarkenton never let up in his relentless pursuit of yardage and touchdowns.
Early in his career, Tarkenton stood out as one of the NFL’s most electrifying scramblers, turning broken plays into big gains from sideline to sideline. His improvisational style often frustrated Vikings coach Norm Van Brocklin, who favored a more traditional approach. Yet Tarkenton’s ability to extend plays, evade pressure and throw on the run became the hallmark of his game, making him a trailblazer for what would later be recognized as the “dual-threat quarterback,” a concept that had not yet entered the football lexicon.
Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end David “Deacon” Jones once said of the Vikings’ quarterback: “Tarkenton was a pain in the ass … He’s one man that we tried desperately to end his career … we tried desperately to get rid of him. Because on a hot day in the Coliseum, chasing Fran Tarkenton was not what you wanted to do.”
Tarkenton earned two Pro Bowl selections during his first stint with the Vikings (1964-65), four during his first four seasons with the Giants (1967-1970) and three more during his second stint in Minnesota (1974-76). His excellence at the position justified both trades that moved him: In 1967, his departure to New York netted the Vikings two first-round and two second-round draft picks over three years, while his return in 1972 cost Minnesota two veteran players, a rookie, and two high draft picks – underscoring the immense value he brought to both franchises.
His run in Minnesota from 1973-76 might have been his finest four-year window. He led the Vikings to three NFC Championships (1973, 1974, 1976) and was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1975.
From a statistical standpoint, Tarkenton was one of the most prolific and efficient passers of all time, particularly when adjusted for era. He recorded top-five finishes in passer rating eight times, completion percentage 10 times, touchdown passes 11 times and passing yards 12 times. At the time of his retirement, he ranked first in career completions (3,686), passing yards (47,003), touchdown passes (342), rushing yards by a quarterback (3,674) and wins as a starting quarterback (124).
His production through the air and on the ground totaled 50,677 yards and 374 touchdowns, surpassing the previous benchmarks set by Pro Football Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas (42,016 yards and 303 touchdowns) by wide margins.
