Greatest Viking Of All Time Tournament: (2) Alan Page vs (7) Mick Tingelhoff

Welcome back to the second round of our Greatest Viking Of All Time Tournament, everybody! In this match-up, a man that you could competently argue is the best defensive player ever to suit up for the Minnesota Vikings takes on a center that many, including myself, feel should have gone to Canton a long time ago.

Alan Page

Alma Mater: University of Notre Dame
Acquired by Vikings: Round 1, 1967 NFL Draft
Seasons in Minnesota: 12 (1967-1978)
Position: Defensive Tackle
How He Got Here: Defeated Tony Dungy 162-6 in Round 1

The rock of the famed Purple People Eaters and one of the best defensive tackles in the history of the National Football League, Alan Page is truly a legend. His biggest on-field accomplishment probably came in the 1971 season, when he became the first defensive player to be named the NFL's Most Valuable Player. He was a six-time All-Pro, and unofficially amassed 108.5 sacks as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. His #88 is one of only six to be retired by the team, and he is a member of the Minnesota Vikings' Ring of Honor.

Yes, folks, Alan Page literally helped build the Pro Football Hall of Fame. How awesome is that?

Mick Tingelhoff

Alma Mater: University of Nebraska
Acquired by Vikings: Signed as undrafted free agent following the 1962 NFL Draft
Seasons in Minnesota: 17 (1962-1978)
Position: Center
How He Got Here: Defeated Korey Stringer 145-18 in Round 1

Mick Tingelhoff went undrafted in 1962 and signed with Minnesota. He started the first game of the 1962 season for the Vikings at center. . .and started the 239 regular season games after that one, too. At the time that he retired, his streak of 240 consecutive NFL starts trailed only that of his teammate, Jim Marshall. He was a Pro Bowl selection every year from 1964 to 1969, and was an All-Pro selection in all of those years except for 1967. He is one of ten Vikings to have played in all four of the team's Super Bowl appearances, and was inducted into the Vikings' Ring of Honor in 2001. His #53 will never be worn by another Viking, as the team has retired it. He's another member of the Vikings that should probably be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

YouTube has no videos of Mick Tingelhoff that we can put here, but here's a very well done bio of him from Vikings.com.

If you need a primer on how the voting for our contest works, we have one for you at this link here. Remember, rec the comments to register your vote. Putting "Vote - Name" in the subject line of a post does not count.

If you want to vote for Alan Page, rec the comment that says "Vote - Alan Page"
If you want to vote for Mick Tingelhoff, rec the comment that says "Vote - Mick Tingelhoff"

Voting is open for 24 hours, just like always, folks. Have at it!