Fran Tarkenton

Date of Birth: February 3, 1940

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Biography

Francis Asbury Tarkenton, known as Fran Tarkenton, is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings. Born on February 3, 1940, in Richmond, Virginia, Tarkenton is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and dynamic quarterbacks in NFL history. He is renowned for his scrambling ability, which allowed him to extend plays and outmaneuver defenders. Tarkenton attended the University of Georgia, where he played college football before being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 1961 NFL Draft. He also played for the New York Giants before returning to the Vikings, where he led them to three Super Bowl appearances. After retiring from football, Tarkenton became a successful entrepreneur, author, and television personality.

5 Interesting Facts about Fran Tarkenton

1. Fran Tarkenton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

2. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (47,003), touchdown passes (342), and wins by a starting quarterback (124).

3. Tarkenton co-founded Tarkenton Financial, a company focusing on insurance and annuities.

4. He appeared on the television show “Monday Night Football” as a commentator after his retirement.

5. Tarkenton has authored several books, including “Every Day is Game Day” and “How to Motivate People: The Team Strategy for Success.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Fran Tarkenton

1. “The pro athlete is a sad story.”

2. “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.”

3. “I don’t come from a long line of great athletes. I come from a long line of people who believed that if they worked hard enough, they could achieve great things.”

4. “The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity.”

5. “Winning means being unafraid to lose.”