Fran Tarkenton

NFL Quarterback Fran Tarkenton was a third-round pick in 1961 from Georgia. 18 total seasons between the Minnesota Vikings (1961-66, 1972-78) and the New York Giants (1967-1971). An instant star with 4 TD passes coming off the bench to beat the Bears 37-13 in the 1st game in Minnesota Vikings franchise history vs. Chicago (9/17/61). Traded to New York Giants in 1967 and then back again to the Vikings in 1972.

At his retirement in 1978 he led all lifetime NFL passers in attempts (6,467), completions (3,686), passing yards (47,003) and TD passes (342). The 1975 NFL Most Valuable Player. Rushed for 3,674 yards and 22 touchdowns. Led Vikings to 3 Super Bowls (VIII, IX, XI). A 4-time All-NFL selection. Played in 5 Pro Bowls representing Minnesota. Member of 50 Greatest Vikings team named in 2010. Born February 3, 1940, in Richmond, VA. Inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on September 9, 1998.

Image Gallery of Fran Tarkenton, Quarterback, 1961-1978

Giant Fran Tarkenton turns to hand off to Cardinal MacArthur Lane in the 1971 NFL Pro Bowl. Based on their play from the 1970 season, it was Tarkenton's 6th Pro Bowl (4th as a Giant) and Lane's sole Pro Bowl selection of his career after leading the league with 11 rushing touchdowns.
Fran Tarkenton and MacArthur Lane, 1971 NFC Pro Bowlers

Fran Tarkenton has has to really reach to get the ball to running back Chuck Foreman here. In 1973 The Vikings was ranked #7 in Total Offense with 4231 yards gained. Foreman had a 4.4 YPA with 801 yards rushing and Tarkenton passed for 2113.
Fran Tarkenton hands off to Chuck Foreman - 1973 Minnesota Vikings

Fran Tarkenton spent 5 seasons in New York passing for 13,905 yards and 103 touchdowns. Here he turns to hand off to running back Tucker Frederickson.
Fran Tarkenton & Tucker Frederickson - New York Giants

The first Giant running back to rush for over 1,000 yards - Ron Johnson of Michigan reached it in 1970 when he wracked up 1027 yards after being traded from the Cleveland Browns.
Ron Johnson carries against Chris Hanburger and the Washington Redskins

Fran Tarkenton on the loose against Tony McGee and the Bears in the mid-1970s. Tarkenton left the NFL in 1978 as the top passer in league history. The other Viking here is veteran lineman Milt Sunde who played 11 seasons in Minnesota.
Fran Tarkenton Scrambles against Tony Mcgee and the Bears

Francis Asbury Tarkenton - entered the NFL as a 3rd round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings - the NFL's latest expansion team in 1961, and retired in 1978 as the league's All Time Leading Passer in Passing Yards, Touchdowns and Completions.
Vikings Quarterback Fran Tarkenton

Fran Tarkenton returns to the Vikings in 1972 and joins Bud Grant. The Vikings would make 6 Postseason appearances over the next 7 seasons including 3 trips to the Super Bowl.
Fran Tarkenton and Bud Grant, 1972 Minnesota Vikings

Giants quarterback Fran Tarkenton gets the pass away in time as wildman Tim Rossovich closes in.
Fran Tarkenton of the Giants and Tim Rossovich, Eagles - 1970 NFL

Fran Tarkenton launches a pass while rolling out against the Houston Oilers in 1974. Tarkenton threw 3 touchdowns in a 51-10 blowout of Houston. #65 coming in from his left is Oilers Hall of Famer Elvin Bethea.
Fran Tarkenton passing against Elvin Bethea and the Houston Oilers in 1974

Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton is put to flight by the Denver Broncos defense with Lyle Alzado in front.
Lyle Alzado, Defensive Lineman Denver Broncos, Rushing Fran Tarkenton

Viking quarterback Fran Tarkenton tries to escape the grasp of (we think) Packer rookie Lionel Aldridge sometime around 1963.
Fran Tarkenton in the grasp of Lionel Aldridge

Giants quarterback Fran Tarkenton fires off the pass while under pressure from Cowboys Jethro Pugh (#75) & Willie Townes (#71).
Fran Tarkenton, NY Giants Rushed by Cowboys Jethro Pugh and Willie Townes

Fran Tarkenton (#10) takes to flight in the 1963 season open against the 49ers. Tarkenton completed 20 of 29 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown in a 24-20 win. Viking #53 in the background is Hall of Fame center Mick Tinglehoff.
Fran Tarkenton, 1963 Season Opener against San Francisco

Tommy Mason - Minnesota's first player to earn All Pro Honors - carries into the brunt of the Chicago Bears defense in 1963. Other players here are rookie Ray Poage (#86), Fran Tarkenton (#10) in the background, center Mick Tinglehoff (#53) and Bear cornerback Bennie McRae (#26).
Tommy Mason carries against the Chicago Bears in 1963

Fran Tarkenton signal "Touchdown" as Vikings running back Dave Osborn goes up and over the Rams defense in the fourth quarter of the 1974 NFC Title game. Taking a 14-3 lead Minnesota held on to win and advance to play the Steelers in Super Bowl IX.
Dave Osborn Scores Against the Rams in the 1974 NFC Title Game

Fran Tarkenton in action against the Pack in 1973. Lineman #67 is offensive lineman Grady Alderman who played 15 years in Minnesota.
Fran Tarkenton drops back to pass in 1973

Viking-Browns, we think from around 1965 - Cleveland Pro Bowler Bill Glass makes haste to reach Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton before he can get rid of the ball.
Bill Glass of the Browns Rushing Fran Tarkenton

In 1976 the Minnesota Vikings beat the LA Rams to take the NFC Title to go to their 4th Super Bowl. Here Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton gets set to handoff as Rams Hall of Fame defensive tackle looms large in the background.
Fran Tarkenton, Vikings with Merlin Olsen of the Rams during the 1976 NFC Playoffs

From 1961 - Vikings vs Packers. Rookie quarterback Fran Tarkenton scrambles away and eludes Packers linebacker Dan Currie. Tarkenton brought the quarterback position to a new level with his scrambling abilities. In 4 of his first 6 years in the league he had the most yards lost in sacks.
Fran Tarkenton Escapes Dan Currie in 1961

Rookie QB Fran Tarkenton and head coach Norm Van Brocklin celebrate with the rest of the Vikings team in the locker room following Minnesota's 1961 inaugural game and 37-13 upset of the Chicago Bears. Tarkenton passed for 4 touchdowns and rushed for another.
Fran Tarkenton and Norm Van Brocklin celebrate the Minnesota Vikings First Victory

Cardinals-Giants 1970 - Under pressure from the Cardinals Chuck Walker, Giants QB Fran Tarkenton gets a pass off in the direction of Runningback Joe Morrison (#40).
Fran Tarkenton throws to Joe Morrison with Chuck Walker of the Cardinals rushing in 1970

Shown here during the early end of his 18-year career after he was a 3rd-round draft pick out of Georgia of the expansion team Minnesota Vikings. He would leave the NFL in 1978 as the league's leading All-Time passer in almost every category.
Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings QB 1961

Vikings Hall of Famers Mick Tinglehoff and Fran Tarkenton. Shown here in 1975.
Mick Tinglehoff and Fran Tarkenton - 1975 Minnesota Vikings

Gerry Philbin hits Fran Tarkenton

Fran Tarkenton as a New York Giant gets behind runningback Junior Coffey in this late 1960s photo.
Fran Tarkenton and Junior Coffey of the New York Giants

Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton gets the pass off while under the rush of Packers great Henry Jordan
Fran Tarkenton and Henry Jordan

Putting the pressure on Fran Tarkenton
Willie Davis Green Bay Packers

Vikings - Packers in 1963, Packers up 30-28. Herb Adderley (#26) blocked a crucial 4th quarter Viking field goal attempt that was returned for an 80-yard touchdown to nail down a 37-28 Packer win. Minnesota kicker Fred Cox is #14 and the holder, #10 is Fran Tarkenton.
Herb Adderley blocks a Fred Cox kick in 1963

A scrambling Fran Tarkenton (#10) is eyed by Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti (#85) as Mike Kolen (#57) moves is in as well.
Nick Buoniconti eyes Fran Tarkenton

Fran Tarkenton NFL Passer

18-year veteran quarterback. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986. As a rookie in 1961 he came off the bench and passed for 4 touchdowns to lead Minnesota past the Chicago Bears in the Vikings very first NFL game. Still holds the teams All-Time Quarterback wins with 91 as well as the most 100+ Passer Rating Games in a Career with 40. 1st-Team All-Pro in 1975 as well as the NFL MVP that year. 4 Pro Bowls as a Viking and 3 Super Bowl appearances. 1964 Pro Bowl MVP.
Fran Tarkenton Minnesota Vikings Leading QB

Fran Tarkenton Minnesota Vikings Quarterback

In 1986 was the first Viking to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retired in 1978 holding the NFL career records for passing yards (47,003), completions (3,686) and touchdown passes (342). Led Minnesota to 6 NFC Central titles, 4 NFC Championship Games and 3 Super Bowls.
Fran Tarkenton Vikings Hall of Fame

In 1967 was traded to the New York Giants for 2-1st round picks and 2-2nd round picks. A pro Bowler 4 of his 5 seasons there the Giants just couldn't win enough games to get into the playoffs. His career records as a Giant : 69 starts - 33 wins, 13,905 yards, 1898 attempts & 1051 completions - a 55.4% completed - 103 TDs and 72 interceptions. He was traded back to the Vikings in 1972.
Fran Tarkenton New York Giants Quarterback

Already well know for his scrambling talents he continued to elude defenders even while he was a New York Giant. In his 5 seasons there he ran for 1126 yards, 10 touchdowns and managed a 5.3 YPC average.
Fran Tarkenton Escapes Frank Bosch of the Redskins

The Steel Curtain Descends. Super Bowl IX was without a doubt, one of his less-distinguishing games. Against the dominating Steelers defense he threw 3 interceptions and finished with a woeful 14.1 QB rating. The Vikings offense didn't score a touchdown. Pictured above, Steelers All-Pro LC Greenwood applies pressure while another All-Pro, #59 linebacker Jack Ham covers up veteran runner Dave Osborn (#41).
LC Greenwood Pressures Fran Tarkenton in Super Bowl IX

Well known for his scrambling - as of 2019 is still the Vikings #12 All-Time Leading Rusher with 2548 yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. Had a 52-yard TD run against the Rams in 1961.
Fran Tarkenton Scrambles Against the Cowboys

Fran Tarkenton Vikings NFL Pic

Vikings Runningback Dave Osborn (#41) gets out in front of Quarterback Fran Tarkenton to pass block.
Dave Osborn and Fran Tarkenton

Fran Tarkenton Football Cards

After 5 seasons with the Giants he returned to the Vikings in 1972. His first year back was a decent one. A 56.9% completion percentage, 2651 yards and 18 touchdown passes.
Fran Tarkenton 1972 Minnesota Vikings Topps Football Card #225

The 1975 NFL MVP, here he is on his 1975 Topps Card - his 15th season in the NFL. Also named Offensive Player of the year he had the league's most passing attempts (425), most completions (273) & most touchdown passes (25).
Fran Tarkenton 1975 Minnesota Vikings Topps Football Card #400

His Topps card from 1978 - his 18th and final year in the NFL. Retired as Pro Football's All-Time Passer with 3686 completions, 47,003 yards and 342 touchdown passes.
Fran Tarkenton 1978 Minnesota Vikings Topps NFL Football Trading Card #100

All-Time Career Passing:

Year	Age	Team	Games	QB Rec	Comp	Att	Comp%	Yards	TD	Int	Long	Y/A	Rate	Sacked
1961	21	MIN	14	2-8-0	157	280	56.1	1997	18	17	71	7.1	74.7
1962	22	MIN	14	2-11-1	163	329	49.5	2595	22	25	89♦	7.9	66.9
1963	23	MIN	14	4-8-1	170	297	57.2	2311	15	15	67	7.8	78.0
1964*	24	MIN	14	8-5-1	171	306	55.9	2506	22	11	64	8.2	91.8
1965*	25	MIN	14	7-7-0	171	329	52.0	2609	19	11	72	7.9	83.8
1966	26	MIN	14	4-7-1	192	358	53.6	2561	17	16	68	7.2	73.8
1967*	27	NYG	14	7-7-0	204	377	54.1	3088	29	19	70	8.2	85.9
1968*	28	NYG	14	7-7-0	182	337	54.0	2555	21	12	84	7.6	84.6
1969*	29	NYG	14	6-8-0	220	409	53.8	2918	23	8	65	7.1	87.2	36
1970*	30	NYG	14	9-5-0	219	389	56.3	2777	19	12	59	7.1	82.2	36
1971	31	NYG	13	4-9-0	226	386	58.5	2567	11	21	81	6.7	65.4	27
1972	32	MIN	14	7-7-0	215	378	56.9	2651	18	13	76	7.0	80.2	26
1973	33	MIN	14	12-2-0	169	274	61.7	2113	15	7	54	7.7	93.2	31
1974*	34	MIN	13	9-4-0	199	351	56.7	2598	17	12	80	7.4	82.1	17
1975*+	35	MIN	14	12-2-0	273♦	425♦	64.2	2994	25♦	13	46	7.0	91.8	27
1976*	36	MIN	13	10-2-1	255♦	412	61.9	2961	17	8	56	7.2	89.3	25
1977	37	MIN	9	6-3-0	155	258	60.1♦	1734	9	14	59	6.7	69.2	22
1978	38	MIN	16	8-7-1	345♦	572♦	60.3	3468♦	25	32♦♥	58	6.1	68.9	27
13 seasons Vikings			177♥	91-73-6	2635♥	4569♥	57.7	33098♥	239♥	194♥	89	7.2	80.1	175
5 seasons Giants			69	33-36-0	1051	1898	55.4	13905	103	72	84	7.3	81.0	99
18-Year NFL Career			246	124-109-6	3686	6467	57.0	47003	342	266	89	7.3	80.4	274

All-Time Career Rushing:

Year	Age	Team	Games	Rush	Yards	TD	Long	Y/A	Fmb
1961	21	MIN	14	56	308	5	52	5.5	8
1962	22	MIN	14	41	361	2	31	8.8	5
1963	23	MIN	14	28	162	1	24	5.8	7
1964*	24	MIN	14	50	330	2	31	6.6	6
1965*	25	MIN	14	56	356	1	36	6.4	5
1966	26	MIN	14	62	376	4	28	6.1	8
1967*	27	NYG	14	44	306	2	22	7.0	4
1968*	28	NYG	14	57	301	3	22	5.3	2
1969*	29	NYG	14	37	172	0	21	4.6	7
1970*	30	NYG	14	43	236	2	20	5.5	3
1971	31	NYG	13	30	111	3	16	3.7	4
1972	32	MIN	14	27	180	0	21	6.7	3
1973	33	MIN	14	41	202	1	16	4.9	5
1974*	34	MIN	13	21	120	2	15	5.7	2
1975*+	35	MIN	14	16	108	2	21	6.8	1
1976*	36	MIN	13	27	45	1	20	1.7	4
1977	37	MIN	9	15	6	0	8	0.4	3
1978	38	MIN	16	24	-6	1	15	-0.3	7
13 seasons Vikings			177	464	2548	22	52	5.5	64
5 seasons Giants			69	211	1126	10	22	5.3	20
18-Year NFL Career			246	675	3674	32	52	5.4	84

Career Playoff Passing:

Year	Age	Team	Games	QB Rec	Comp	Att	Comp%	Yards	TD	Int	Long	Y/A	Rate	Sacked
1973	33	MIN	3	2-1	44	77	57.1	537	3	3	54	7.0	75.5	7
1974*	34	MIN	3	2-1	34	69	49.3	394	3	6	38	5.7	45.2	3
1975*+	35	MIN	1	0-1	12	26	46.2	135	0	1	40	5.2	46.2	4
1976*	36	MIN	3	2-1	41	83	49.4	518	4	5	57	6.2	60.2	5
1978	38	MIN	1	0-1	18	37	48.6	219	1	2	31	5.9	53.8	1
Career			11	6-5	149♥	292♥	51.0	1803♥	11♥	17♥	57	6.2	58.6	20

+ - All-Pro Selection
* - Pro Bowl Selection
♦ - Led the League
♥- Franchise Record

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table