Fran Tarkenton is the Most Passing Yards In Vikings History. The career passing leader of the Minnesota Vikings with 33,098 yards, Fran Tarkenton played for the Vikings from 1961 to 1978. He also has the most career completions and touchdowns and the highest career completion percentage in franchise history.

Early Life And Education

Tarkenton was born on February 3, 1940, in Richmond, Virginia, to Dallas Tarkentonwho was a methodist minister, and Margaret Tarkenton. He grew up in Athens, went to Athens High School in Athens, Georgia. He played college football as a halfback at the University of Georgia, where he was also a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

Professional Football Career

During his professional football career, Tarkenton became the first professional football player to pass for more than 40,000 yards. He did this during a career that lasted from 1961 through 1978 and included stints with the Minnesota Vikings (1961–1966, 1972-1978), New York Giants (1967–1971), and Philadelphia Eagles (1973–1974).

Passing his way into immortality, Fran Tarkenton is the Minnesota Vikings’ all-time leading passer. In a 21-year career from 1961 to 1972, Tarkenton completed 2,686 of 5,211 passes for 36,284 yards and 237 touchdowns with 206 interceptions. His top year was 1970 when he threw for 3,468 yards and 27 TDs.

Fran Tarkenton holds the Minnesota Vikings’ all-time record for most passing yards with 32,674. In his storied 16-year career in the NFL, Fran torched opposing defenses for more than 4,000 yards six times, including a league-high 4,088 yards in 1969. He led Minnesota to three Super Bowl appearances before an eye injury ended his career in 1978.