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This is the 24th match-up in the first round of our Greatest Viking Of All Time Tournament, meaning that we are officially 3/4 of the way to Round 2. In this match-up, a Hall of Fame offensive tackle goes head-to-head with the guy that ranks as one of the best quarterbacks in Minnesota Vikings history.
Ron Yary
Alma Mater: University of Southern California
Acquired by Vikings: Round 1, 1968 NFL Draft
Seasons in Minnesota: 14 (1968-1981)
Position: Offensive tackle
One of only two players to be selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, Yary was a mainstay on the offensive line during the team's glory years. (To show how big that was, it would be 29 years before another offensive lineman went #1 overall.) He is one of just 10 Vikings players to have appeared in all four of the team's Super Bowl match-ups, and was widely recognized as one of the best in the league during his tenure. He missed just two games due to injury in his career, and was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a first-team All-Pro six consecutive years, and the NFC's Offensive Lineman of the year in 1973, 1974, and 1975.
Not a lot of highlight videos of Ron Yary, unfortunately. That one there is an interview that's about 20 minutes long.
Daunte Culpepper
Alma Mater: University of Central Florida
Acquired by Vikings: Round 1, 1999 NFL Draft
Seasons in Minnesota: 7 (1999-2005)
Position: Quarterback
Daunte Culpepper was a unique physical specimen at the quarterback position when the Vikings drafted him in 1999. at 6'5" and 265 pounds with the ability to get outside the pocket, he was something the league wasn't used to seeing. He sat on the bench until 2000, when he was given the reigns of the offense and led the team to the NFC Championship Game. In 2004, he finished runner-up in the Most Valuable Player voting to Peyton Manning, and set an NFL record for yards for combined yards in a season with 5,123. (To see just how miraculous that was, you can check out this article here.) Arguably the best non-Tarkenton quarterback the Vikings have ever had, he's third in team history in both passing yardage and passing touchdowns.
Here's a review of how the voting process works, folks.
-If you want to vote for Ron Yary, rec the comment that says, "Vote - Ron Yary"
-If you want to vote for Daunte Culpepper, rec the comment that says, "Vote - Daunte Culpepper"
Don't rec both comments. . .we're on the honor system here, folks. Although I don't know why you'd rec both anyway. . .you'd end up just canceling yourself out.
Please do not reply to either of the top two comments. . .if you want to debate or make your case or what have you, feel free to do so underneath those top two comments. Remember. . .only recs count, so make sure that's how you register your vote.
The voting will remain open until 8 AM Central time tomorrow, at which point the next two match-ups will be posted.
Have at it, everybody!