Minnesota Vikings By The Numbers: #68

As we’ve mentioned a couple of other times throughout our numerical journey through the history of the Minnesota Vikings, when you have 99 numbers to go through, you’re going to hit the occasional dud. The number 68 could probably be considered such a number in the history of the Vikings. Nobody wore the number for the purple until the team’s 11th season of existence, and there haven’t been any real superstars that have worn it.

Well, there’s one “superstar,” but we’ll get to that in a bit.

As far as the Pro Football Reference “Approximate Value” statistic is concerned, the most productive Viking to ever wear the #68 was offensive lineman Charles Goodrum. A ninth round pick of the Vikings in 1972, Goodrum made his way into the starting lineup by 1974, and started 19 games at left tackle. He then shifted to left guard and started 53 games there between 1976 and 1979.

A fan favorite during his time with the team, offensive lineman Curtis “Boo Boo” Rouse was a member of the Vikings from 1982 to 1986. During his career, he was the largest player in the National Football League, tipping the scales at 350 pounds. He started 15 of 16 games for the Vikings at left guard in 1984, then moved to left tackle in 1985 and started 13 of 16 games.

The “superstar” I mentioned earlier is someone that’s now as well known for his radio work as he was for his football work. That would be the “Superstar” Mike Morris, who rose to fame with the Vikings from 1991 to 1999. Well, as much as a long snapper can “rise to fame,” I suppose. Morris was the long snapper for the Vikings for every game the team played during that nine-season stretch.

Those are really the best options for the #68. We know T.J. Clemmings wears #68 at the present time, but I don’t think we could realistically put him among the options at the position at this point. Maybe if he turns it around and we revisit this we can get him on there.

Vikings that have worn the number 68:

• Roy Schmidt (1971)
• Pete Perrault (1971)
• Charles Goodrum (1973 - 1979)
• Melvin Mitchell (1980)
• Curtis Rouse (1982 - 1986)
• Kevin Webster (1987)
• Greg Koch (1987)
• John Adickes (1989)
• Paul Blair (1990)
• Mike Morris (1991 - 1999)
• Jon Cooper (2010)
• T.J. Clemmings (2015 - present)

We’re on to the number 67 tomorrow, ladies and gentlemen!