10 greatest Minnesota Vikings of all time

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 2: Defensive tackle Alan Page #88 and defensive end Carl Eller #81 of the Minnesota Vikings watch from the sideline during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Riverfront Stadium on December 2, 1973 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Vikings 27-0. (Photo by Clifton Boutelle/Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 24: Randall McDaniel #64 of the Minnesota Vikings in action against the Cincinnati Bengals at Riverfront Stadium on December 24, 1995 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Vikings 27-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

6. Randall McDaniel, G

There’s a lot to be said for reliability and Pro Football Hall of fame guard Randall McDaniel epitomized that attribute. The 19th overall pick in the 1988 NFL Draft from Arizona State was an instant starter for the Minnesota Vikings, playing in all 16 games as a rookie and in the opening lineup for all of one contest.

There were for 14 outings and 13 starts in 1989 when he was invited to the first of 12 consecutive Pro Bowls, the first 11 with the Purple Gang and the last with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 1990, he played and started in all 16 games – something he would manage to do the final 12 years of his NFL career – the final two seasons with the Bucs. His passion for his craft was evident.

“I’m just a big kid out there playing this kid’s game (via the Pro Football Hall of Fame). We all are grown men playing a kid’s game. It is funny. But it gives you a lot: the contact, the competition, the people you meet, the travel…I love the travel. I’ve been places I never could have seen without football. I just love the game.”

McDaniel played a total of 14 seasons in the NFL and his teams reached the playoffs 11 times.

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