Only a few players have impacted the way football is played, as Fran Tarkenton has done. Breaking away from the traditional mold, he turned heads from his rookie season and went on to become one of the most respected figures in NFL history. Here’s his journey from rookie to legend.
The Tarkenton Genesis
Fran Ausbury Tarkenton was born to Dallas Tarkento, a Methodist minister, and Frances Tarkenton in February 1940. When he was five years old, his family moved to Washington, D.C., and at age ten, Tarkenton was already playing for the Merrick Boys Club football team.
College Career
During his collegiate years, Tarkenton became a standout player at the University of Georgia. He played for the Bulldogs from 1958 to 1960 and showed his skills as a quarterback. Tarkenton led Georgia to a strong 1959 season, finishing with a 10-1 record and an OrangeBowl victory.
Sailing into the NFL
The Minnesota Vikings chose Fran Tarkenton in the third round of the 1961 NFL Draft. This selection was the beginning of his 18-season professional career. While his time with the Vikings had its challenges, especially early on, his rookie season told a different story.
Rookie Season Success
Despite the challenges most first-year players experience in the league, Fran displayed his skills and finished the season with 18 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and 1,997 yards rushing. He also rushed for 08 yards on 56 rushes for five touchdowns. The Vikings, however, finished the season with a 3-11-0 record.
The New York Giants Years
A trade In March 1967 sent Tarkenton to the New York Giants. In his first year with the Giants, Tarkenton threw for a then career-best 3,088 yards and 29 touchdowns, leading the team to a much-improved 7–7 record, a turnaround from their previous 1-12-1 season.
Scrambling Quarterback
Embracing a new style of play, Tarkenton popularized the concept of the “scrambling quarterback. ” During the 1969 season, the Giants squared off against the Vikings. They trailed 23–10 in the fourth quarter before Tarkenton threw two touchdown passes to bag a comeback victory over his former squad.
Super Bowl Appearances
Leading the Vikings to Super Bowl VIII in 1974 was a notable achievement in Tarkenton’s career. Although they lost 24–7 to the Miami Dolphins, his appearance proved his skill as a quarterback. The following year, the Vikings again fell short in the Super Bowl, this time to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFL MVP
However, the 1975 season marked a personal triumph for Tarkenton. His performance earned him the NFL MVP honors, as he led the league with over 2,994 passing yards and 25 touchdown passes. His playmaking abilities were key to the Vikings’ strong showing that year.
The Tarkenton’s Playing Style
With a reputation as an elusive playmaker, Tarkenton could evade defenders easily. According to Profootballhof, he said, “I scramble because I’m good at it, because I can twist and dodge those big pass rushers better than most guys, and we get a lot of touchdowns that way.”
Pace-setter
Throughout his career, Tarkenton set numerous records that underscored his talent on the pitch. He retired with over 47,000 passing yards and 342 touchdown passes, which were remarkable achievements at the time. Many of these records stood for years and displayed Tarkenton’s excellence as a quarterback.
Legacy in the NFL
After a productive 18-season career, Tarkenton retired after the 1978 season and left behind his prints in the NFL. He owned the quarterback record for the highest number of interceptions (266). His contributions to the quarterback position and football continue to resonate and influence generations of players.
Post-NFL Career
Following his football retirement, Tarkenton eased into a successful post-playing career. He became a well-known businessman, author, and broadcaster of Monday Night Football, sharing his insights on sports and life with a broader audience. As Forbes put it, “The man knows success and failure far better than most of us do.”
Ventures in Technology
He promoted computer-aided software engineering with Albert F. Case Jr. and founded Tarkenton Softwares, a computer program generator company that established him as a savvy businessman. Tarkenton Software eventually merged with KnowledgeWare, with Tarkenton serving as president before Sterling Software bought the company in 1994.
The $300 Million Man
Fran Tarkenton is also crushing the financial numbers. Recognized as one of the wealthiest NFL players of all time, his wealth is estimated to be around $300 million, a figure which places him among the wealthiest former athletes, as highlighted by Celebrity Net Worth.
Hall of Fame Inductions
In 1986, Tarkenton entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame, thus recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to the sport. This honor celebrated his achievements and added to his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks to play in the NFL. The following year, he also made the College Football Hall of Fame.
Fran Tarkenton’s Career From Rookie To Hall Of Fame Star