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If you’re a football fan, then Fran Tarkenton needs no introduction. But what about the man behind the helmet? What do we really know about this legendary quarterback who revolutionized the game? From his humble beginnings as a small-town boy to his record-breaking performances on the field, there’s much to learn about Fran Tarkenton’s life and legacy. So grab your favorite jersey and settle in for an inside look at one of football’s greatest icons – it’s time to get to know Fran Tarkenton!
Fran Tarkenton Biography
Fran Tarkenton was a standout athlete from an early age, excelling in both football and basketball. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Minnesota, playing on the football team alongside future Hall of Famers Chuck Noll and Jerry Kramer. In 1959, Tarkenton led the Golden Gophers to their first National Championship, earning him consensus All-American honors. He was drafted by the New York Giants with the third pick in the NFL Draft that year and went on to play for them for 11 seasons. In 1972, he joined the Minnesota Vikings and led them to their only Super Bowl victory. Fran Tarkenton retired from professional football in 1978 after playing his last game with the San Francisco 49ers. After retiring from football, Tarkenton became a broadcaster for NBC Sports and has worked as a commentator for televised games ever since. He has also written several books about his life as an athlete and professional footballer.
Fran Tarkenton was born in Minneapolis on October 9, 1938. He played football and basketball at Bloomington High School before attending the University of Minnesota where he starred on the gridiron alongside future Hall of Famers Chuck Noll and Jerry Kramer. In 1959, Tarkenton led the Golden Gophers to their first National Championship title – earning him unanimous All-American honors – and was selected by the New York Giants with the third pick in that year’s NFL Draft. Over eleven seasons with New York (1961-1972), Minnesota.
| Real Name | Francis Asbury Tarkenton |
| Nick Name: | Fran Tarkenton |
| Birth Place: | Richmond, Virginia, United States |
| Date Of Birth/Birthday: | 3 February 1940 |
| Age/How Old: | 83 years old |
| Height/How Tall: | In Centimetres – 183 cm In Feet and Inches – 6′ 0″ |
| Weight: | In Kilograms – 86 kg In Pounds – 190 lbs. |
| Eye Colour: | Light brown d |
| Hair Colour: | Blonde |
| School: | Athens |
| College: | Georgia University |
| Religion: | Christian |
| Nationality: | American |
| Zodiac Sign: | Aquarius |
| Gender: | Male |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Kids/Children Name: | Angela, Melissa, Matthew, and Hayley Gray Tarkenton |
| Profession: | American football quarterback |
| Net Worth: | $310 Million |
Fran Tarkenton Wife
Fran Tarkenton was a professional football player and a two-time MVP. He played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1969 to 1978, and he led them to three consecutive Super Bowls. His success on the field led to marriage and family. Fran married his high school sweetheart, Jeannette, in 1966. The couple had four children: Todd, Shannon, Kerry, and Jill. In 2002, Fran retired from the NFL after 25 years of playing. He now lives in Eden Prairie with Jeannette and their four children.
Fran Tarkenton Height and Weight
Fran Tarkenton was born on December 15, 1936 in South Dakota. He played quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings and the New England Patriots in his career, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
Tarkenton was 6’1″, weighed 190 pounds, and had a 50-inch vertical leap. He attended college at the University of Miami where he played football under coach Howard Schnellenberger. After two seasons with the Miami Hurricanes, Tarkenton was drafted by the Vikings in 1959.
In 1961, he led his team to an NFL championship game victory over Green Bay Packers; they lost to Baltimore Colts in the championship game the following year. In 1962, Tarkenton led his team to their second Super Bowl victory (over San Francisco 49ers), and he won MVP award for this game. In 1965, Tarkenton became only player ever to rush for more than 2,000 yards and pass for more than 3,000 yards in a season. That same year he was voted Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP).
In 1971, after 11 seasons with Vikings and one season with Patriots, Tarkenton retired from professional football due to a shoulder injury. After retiring from football he became an actor and appeared in several movies including “The Longest Yard” (1974) and “Saturday Night Fever” (1977). In 1984 he was inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Fran Tarkenton NFL Career
Fran Tarkenton was an American football player who played for the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL). He was one of the most prolific and successful quarterbacks in NFL history, winning three Super Bowls with the Vikings. Tarkenton also won a Heisman Trophy while playing college football at Notre Dame.
Tarkenton was born on February 25, 1938, in Rockford, Illinois. He attended Rockford Central High School before enrolling at Notre Dame, where he played quarterback for the Irish from 1956 to 1958. He was selected as a first-team All-American in 1957 and 1958 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1958.
Tarkenton entered the NFL draft after his junior season and was selected by the Vikings with the first overall pick. He spent nine seasons with Minnesota, leading them to three consecutive Super Bowl appearances (1969–1971) and winning Super Bowl IV against the Miami Dolphins. In 1978 he was traded to the Giants and retired after playing two seasons with them.
After retiring from professional football, Tarkenton served as an analyst for NFL telecasts and co-hosted a sports radio show called The Fran Tarkenton Show with former Vikings teammate John Riggins. He also wrote a book about his career titled Touchdown: My Life Inside The Game of Football . Tarkenton married his high school sweetheart, Margie, in 1962; they have two children together.
