Class of 2018 Finalist Spotlight: Steve Hutchinson

Minnesota Vikings legend Steve Hutchinson was recently named a finalist for the Class of 2018. If elected, he would become the 18th Guard enshrined. In the past seven classes, only two pure guards have been Enshrined.

Hutchinson, a 6’4”, 315-pound guard out of Michigan, was drafted in the first round (17th player overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He started all 16 games at left guard during his rookie season and cleared the path for running back Shaun Alexander to rush for 1,318 yards and 14 touchdowns. Hutchinson’s efforts earned him All-Rookie honors.

After missing the final 12 games of the 2002 season with a broken leg, Hutchinson returned in 2003 and embarked on a streak of 123 consecutive starts. That season he also earned the first of six first-team All-Pro selections during his career, and helped lead the Seahawks to a playoff appearance.

Hutchinson continued to lead the way for Seattle’s high-powered offense that resulted in back-to-back NFC West Division titles in 2004 and 2005. He paved the way for Alexander to earn the Associated Press’ NFL MVP honors in 2005 after rushing for a team-record 1,880 yards and setting an NFL record with 28 touchdowns (27 rushing). The Seahawks total offense that season ranked second in the NFL and the team made its first-ever Super Bowl appearance.

The Minnesota Vikings signed the All-Pro guard as a transition-tag free agent in 2006. He made an immediate impact in his new surroundings and was named the NFL Alumni Offensive Linemen of the Year in his first season with the Vikings. In 2008, he led the way for Adrian Peterson to set a then-franchise record for rushing yards in a season (1,760) and become the first Vikings player to win a league rushing title. The next season, with Hutchinson again winning NFL Alumni Offensive Linemen of the Year honors, the Vikings claimed a second straight division title and advanced to the NFC championship game.    

In all, Hutchinson earned seven straight Pro Bowl berths (2004-2010) and was a first-team All-Pro selection six times (2003, 2005-2009). He was named All-NFC six times (2003-07, 2009) and is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

After his playing career ended, Hutchinson still was a part of the game. He became a college football analyst for Fox Sports and interned in the personnel department with the Titans.

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