Thielen approaches milestone

Minnesotans in the NFL

Thielen approaching 100th regular season game

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN

Co-Publisher, Let’s Play Football

Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen is set to become the 45th Minnesota-born player to play in 100 NFL regular season games. Barring an injury, Thielen will reach the milestone on Week 11 against the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 22. Thielen, who hails from Detroit Lakes and attended Minnesota State University-Mankato, will reach the milestone in his seventh season at age 30. He had played in all 16 regular season games his first five seasons before missing six games last year with an injury. He has played in 96 regular season games thus far and has caught 32 touchdown passes on 355 receptions for 4,340 yards.

He has long way to go, however, to reach Minnesota legend Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is the all-time leader in games played by a Minnesota-born player, having suited up for his 256th game Monday night where he caught a pass to make it 249 consecutive games where he has had at least one reception.

Only five Minnesota-born players have ever played in at least 200 NFL regular season games. They include Fitzgerald (256), Terrell Suggs (244), Rohn Stark (233), Matt Birk (210) and Dave Dalby (205). Fitzgerald, Suggs and Stark are all Minneapolis natives and Birk is from St. Paul. Dalby hails from Alexandria. Birk and Dalby were both centers and Stark was a punter. Suggs played his final season last year as a linebacker.

Thielen currently ranks 47th in games played for a Minnesota-born player but is expected to pass Marion Barber III and Justin Hartwig, who each played 99 games. Fitzgerald and Tom Compton of Rosemount are the only active Minnesota-born players with at least 100 games under their belt. Compton, a tackle from Rosemount, has played in exactly 100 games for six different teams.

Games Played in NFL

Player

Larry Fitzgerald Terrell Suggs Rohn Stark Matt Birk Dave Dalby Keith Fahnhorst Greg Larson Larry Cole Steve Nelson Jim LeClair Jeff Siemon John Fina Gino Cappelletti Jim Langer Steve Heiden Dave Casper Milt Sunde Errol Mann Ramon Humber Chip Lohmiller Barry Bennett Jon Borchardt Corbin Lacina Les Josephson Marcus Sherels Bob Wetoska Steve Martin Matt Herkenhoff Steve Zabel Matt Spaeth Ben Hamilton James Laurinaitis Craig Dahl Derek Rackley Ryan Harris Steve Kiner Adam Goldberg Eric Decker Jim Carter Todd Kalis Michael Floyd Rod Smith Tom Compton Jacky Lee

Pos

WR LB P C C T C DE LB LB LB T FL C TE TE G K MLB K DT G G RB DB T DT T LB TE G LB DB TE T LB G WR LB G WR DB T QB

City

Minneapolis Minneapolis Minneapolis St. Paul Alexandria St. Cloud Minneapolis Clarkfield Farmington St. Paul Rochester Rochester Keewatin Little Falls Rushford Bemidji Minneapolis Breckenridge Brooklyn Park Woodbury St. Paul Minneapolis Mankato Minneota Rochester Minneapolis St. Paul Melrose Minneapolis St. Michael Minneapolis Hamel Mankato Apple Valley Minneapolis Sandstone Edina Cold Spring St. Paul Stillwater St. Paul St. Paul Rosemount Minneapolis

From

2004 2003 1982 1998 1972 1974 1961 1968 1974 1972 1972 1992 1960 1970 1999 1974 1964 1968 2009 1988 1978 1979 1994 1964 2010 1960 1996 1976 1970 2007 2002 2009 2007 2000 2007 1970 2004 2010 1970 1988 2012 1992 2012 1960

To

2020 2019 1997 2012 1985 1987 1973 1980 1987 1983 1982 2002 1970 1981 2009 1984 1974 1978 2018 1996 1988 1987 2003 1974 2019 1969 2004 1985 1979 2015 2010 2016 2015 2007 2016 1978 2011 2017 1978 1995 2018 1998 2020 1969

G

255 244 233 210 205 193 179 176 174 158 156 155 153 151 148 147 147 137 136 135 132 130 129 129 128 128 127 125 124 123 118 117 117 116 114 114 112 111 106 103 102 102 100 100

Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen is closing in on 100 career regular season games, making him the 45th Minnesota-born player to reach the milestone. Two other active Minnesota-born players have played in at least 100 regular season games. Tom Compton, from Rosemount, is currently at 100 and playing with the San Francisco 49ers. Larry Fitzgerald played in his 256th game Monday night and leads all Minnesota-born players in games played.

Larry Fitzgerald Tom Compton

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www.letsplayfootballmn.com Let’s Play Football SO LONG, SID. Thanks for the memories.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Vikings, the state of Minnesota and the entire world of sports said goodbye to a true legend Sunday afternoon.

Longtime sports reporter Sid Hartman passed away at the age of 100. His final column for the Star Tribune, a spotlight on Adam Thielen and the Vikings, ran Sunday morning.

The Vikings released the following statement from Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf:

Our hearts are broken with the news of Sid Hartman’s passing. It is nearly impossible to put into words what Sid meant to the sports world and to Minnesota. He was an iconic sports figure, a tenacious reporter and a tireless advocate for his beloved state. His doggedness and work ethic were unmatched, but it was Sid’s ability to nurture relationships that truly set him apart. He was a confidant and a loyal friend to countless athletes and coaches across the country.

The impact Sid had on collegiate and professional sports can never be replicated and will never be forgotten. His presence and his personality were constants during the Vikings first 60 seasons. Sid welcomed our family to town in 2005, and we will always appreciate his support for us as owners and for the Vikings franchise. Our prayers are with the entire Hartman family.