Alan Page to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

There may be no member of the Minnesota Vikings in the history of the franchise that received more on-field accolades than Alan Page. . .which makes the fact that his on-field achievements almost pale in comparison to his off-field achievements that much more remarkable. Next week, Page will add yet another great accomplishment to that list.

On Saturday, it was announced that Page, along with six others, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the nation’s highest civilian honor. The ceremony will be held next week at the White House.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to “individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

Here is the full citation for Page in the press release that went out on Saturday.

Justice Alan Page is an accomplished jurist, athlete, and philanthropist. After a successful college football career at the University of Notre Dame, he played 15 years in the National Football League with the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. He started in four Super Bowls, was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1971, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. While playing for the Vikings, he obtained his law degree and practiced law during the off-season. After retiring from the NFL in 1981, Justice Page practiced law full-time before winning a seat on the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1992. He served for more than 20 years. Since 1988, his Page Education Foundation has provided scholarships to nearly 7,000 students.

Yet another outlet that overlooks Page being named the Greatest Viking of All Time by the readers of this website. We’ll get that recognition out there someday, folks.

But, in all seriousness, congratulations to Alan Page on being named a recipient of one of the highest honors that this nation can bestow upon one of its citizens.