Fran Tarkenton played college ball at Georgia from 1958-’60.
At QB over 3 years he completed 186 of 317 passes for 2100 yards and 18 TDs to 20 INT.
In 1961 was a 3rd round pick of the then expansion Minnesota Vikings.
Came off the bench in his first game and threw for 4 TDs and rushed for another in a comeback win.
Rushed for a career high 5 TDs his rookie year.
His 89 yard completion in 1962 led the NFL.
Displayed his gift for running out of the pocket early on- becoming one of the first modern hybrid scrambling QBs.
In ’64 passed for 2506 yards and 22 TDs to 11 INT as Tarkenton led the Vikings to an 8-5-1 record.
Traded to Giants in 1967.
Threw for a career high 3,088 yards and 29 TDs that year.
Traded back to the Vikings in 1972.
During the 70s, alongside the Purple People Eaters, led the Vikings to two 12-2 records, and a 10-2-1 record enroute to the 3 Super Bowl appearances,
Led NFL in Attempts in 1975, ’76, ’78, completions in ’75 and ’78 and completion percentage in 1977.
Finished out on top in 1978 with 3468 yards passing and retired after the season- his 18th in the NFL
At the time of his retirement, owned many of the NFL career passing records.
Moved into business, public speaking, commentating, acting, wrote self help books, and an annuity market firm.
ACCOLADES:
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
All Pro 1975
NFL MVP 1975
NFL Offensive Player of the Year 1875
Pro Bowl 1964-’65, 1967-’70, 1974-’76
Minnesota Vikings 25th Anniversary Team
Minnesota Vikings 40th Anniversary Team
50 Greatest Vikings
Vikings #10 Jersey Retired
Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor
NOTES:
Fran Tarkenton with Cathy Lee Crosby on ‘That’s Incredible’ alongside Hopper the Frog
Fran Tarkenton was a very comfortable voice during my childhood, in which I wasn’t really familiar with him from football post retirement but from his stint as a host on the show ‘That’s Incredible’. It only lasted one season in the 80’s but the format, some of the segments, the hosts and the theme music stuck with me over the years.
CARD: Upper Deck USFL 2023 ACQUIRED: IP 2024, San Antonio Brahmas v Birmingham Stallions
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Marlon Williams played WR at UCF from 2017-’20.
In each year he saw his playing time and catches increase.
During 2020 he had 71 receptions for 1039 yards and 10 TDs.
Went unselected in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Signed with the Houston Texans but was cut before camp.
Joined the USFL in 2022 and played for the Birmingham Stallions.
In the inaugural season he caught 32 passes for 474 yards and 4 TDs.
His yards ranked 3rd in the league while his receiving TDs ranked second.
Contributed mightily to the Stallions USFL Championship that season, catching 7 passes for 105 yards and a TD.
Resigned for the 2023 season, injuries limited him to just one start.
Returned in 2024 for Stallions’ 3rd season, and caught 26 passes for 313 yards and 4 TDs.
NOTES:
Marlon was one of the few Stallions I caught walking off the field at the end of the contest. He saw the card and flashed a smile and came over and signed two for me. It’s a great looking card bordered by some boring looking design work.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
