Viking Iron Man and Hall of Fame Mick Tingerhof die at age 81

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Minneapolis (AP) — The ultimate Iron Man, Hall of Fame Center Micktingelhof, who started 240 consecutive games in the Minnesota Vikings bruise position and played in four Super Bowls, has died. He was 81 years old.

Undrafted in 1962, Tingerhof played for the Vikings for 17 years and was never on the sidelines. His winning streak is the third longest in NFL history, after Brett Favre (297) and Jim Marshall (270). Philip Rivers tied Tingerhof last season before retiring.

In an interview Saturday after the Vikings and Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the death of Tingelhof, his former teammate Chuck Foreman said, “Mick was one of the people whose mold was abandoned when he was made. “

The cause is not shown. Tingelhof’s perceptions have declined and have fallen victim to long-term punishment in times of inadequate security measures. He claimed that he was in the first wave of former players who participated in a concussion proceeding filed against the league 10 years ago, and that they were misunderstood about the long-term effects of head injuries. The 2013 settlement will cost the NFL an estimated $ 1 billion over 65 years.

Growing up on a farm in Nebraska, Tingelhof became obsessed with Viking after playing for the Home State team and switched from a linebacker during the rookie year preseason. He became an impressive attack line anchor that helped him win 10 division titles in the 11 seasons from 1968 to 1978. He was a five-time all-pro selection, despite his small list of 6 feet 2 and 237 pounds.

“Mick was the catalyst for our team and one of the most respected players on those teams,” said former coach Bad Grant. “If he hadn’t played in the center, he must have been a linebacker in the Hall of Fame. He played a central role in the linebacker’s spirit and tenacity. Mick’s intangibles made him It was very nice. He was the captain all the time I was teaching him, and everyone saw him as an example of how to do things. “

Foreman joined the team in 1973, making Pro Bowl the first five years. He crossed the 1,000-yard mark of the rush for three consecutive seasons from 1975 to 1977, mainly due to his front block and leadership from Tingerhof.

As a rookie, Foreman recalled in a telephone conversation with the Associated Press, Grant told him to pay close attention to his companions who were repelling Tingerhof and Dave Osborne.

“He said,’You’ll be fine if you just do everything they do,'” Foreman said. “I don’t think I can give my teammates any more compliments.”

Tingelhof also influenced the success of quarterback Fran Tarkenton, one of the six Hall of Fame players on Minnesota’s dominant team in the 1970s. Tingerhof’s 53rd jersey retired when he became the Viking Ring of Honor in 2001.

“He gave 150% in every play,” Foreman said. “That’s what set him apart from others.”

Tingelhof met his wife Philis in Nebraska and was already married by the time the 20-round NFL draft was staged in 1962. Despite being handed over, he decided to make it professionally and played with the same enthusiasm from the beginning. The end of his career.

Tingelhof had to wait 31 years from his first qualification to being inducted into the Hall of Fame until 2015. Elections by the Appellate Body.. Tarkenton was his presenter. His speech was concise when he joined Tarkenton, Defensive Tackle Alampage, Safety Paul Krause, Offensive Tackle Ronyary, and Defensive End Carl Eller. The coach Grant is also enshrined there.

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