It will have no bearing on Thursday’s prime time game vs the Buccs, but i thought I would point out that former linebacker Mr. Matt Blair will become the 20th member of the Vikings Ring of Honor on Thursday night during a halftime ceremony honoring his kick-ass career during the stretch of time that the Vikings wore the coolest dark purple uniforms the league has ever seen (before or after).

For you younglings that don't know the name:

Blair was selected out of Iowa State University by the Vikings in the second round of the 1974 NFL Draft with the 51st overall selection. Blair quickly established himself as one of the top and speediest linebackers in the NFC, earning Pro Bowl honors for 6 consecutive seasons (1977–1982). In addition, Blair was selected All-Pro in 1980, All-NFC in 1978 & 2nd Team All-NFC in 1977, 1979 & 1981. He was also an exceptional special teams player, particularly in blocking punts because of his great speed and timing abilities.

Blair appeared in two Super Bowls with the Vikings, Super Bowl IX (1974 season) and Super Bowl XI (1976 season), losses respectively to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders. Blair was injured most of the 1974 and 1975 seasons, not starting in the Vikings' NFC championship game win over the Los Angeles Rams in the 1974-75 NFL playoffs or in the Super Bowl. But he participated in special teams play in Super Bowl IX, blocking Bobby Walden's punt, recovered by Terry Brown (American football) in the endzone, the Vikings' only points all day, as they missed the extra point. He was a vital part of the Vikings' 1976 season of 11 wins, 2 losses, and 1 tie, second in the NFL in least points allowed (176 points, 12.6 points per game). In particular, Blair recovered 5 fumbles and intercepted 2 passes from his linebacker position with Jeff Siemon in the middle and Wally Hilgenberg on the opposite side. The Vikings defeated the Rams again in the NFC championship game of the 1976-77 NFL playoffs, when Blair recovered 2 fumbles.

Above quote from Wikipedia

Career Highlights

• Second on the Vikings all-time list for tackles with 1,452.
• Holds the Vikings record for blocked kicks in a career with 20.
• Extremely active in the community as a Viking and was named Man of the Year in 1981.
  
  

Blair Highlight Videos

For those of you NOT keeping track at home, Blair joins the following in the ring:

Fran Tarkenton
Parl Krause
Alan Page
Jim Finks
Bud Grant
Fred Zamberletti
Jim Marshall
Mick Tingelhoff
Ron Yary
Korey Stringer
Carl Eller
Cris Carter
Bill Brown
Jerry Burns
Randall McDaniel
Chuck Foreman
John Randle
Scott Studwell
Chris Doleman

SKOL #59 MATT BLAIR!! Welcome to the Ring!