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3 Greatest Hall of Fame Snubs in Vikings History

By Tyler Kemp

Randall Cunningham (No. 7) running off the field with Cris Carter (80) and Randy Moss (84)
Randall Cunningham (No. 7) running off the field with Cris Carter (80) and Randy Moss (84) / Mark Brettingen/Getty Images

The Vikings have had their fair share of Hall of Fame players pass through Minnesota at one point in time. Players like Fran Tarkenton, Chris Doleman, Carl Eller and Alan Page have all been influential in the franchise’s history, but while many of the greatest Vikes of all time have been immortalized in Canton, there are still a few who are waiting on their phone call. This trio tops that list.

3. DL Jim Marshall

Jim Marshall tackling Steelers RB Franco Harris
Jim Marshall tackling Steelers RB Franco Harris / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Jim Marshall will forever live in NFL infamy for running the wrong way after recovering a fumble, but his legacy speaks for itself. Marshall was a key member of the "Purple People Eaters" alongside Eller and Page, forming one of the greatest defensive lines ever. The group led Minnesota to its only NFL Championship in 1969. Marshall was only a three-time All Pro and two-time Pro Bowl player, but his impact was unmatched in his time.

2. QB Randall Cunningham

Randell Cunningham dropping back to pass
Randell Cunningham dropping back to pass / Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

Cunningham was already an established quarterback for his time in Philadelphia, but he entered a new level when he came out of retirement and got to play alongside Randy Moss and Cris Carter in 1997. Cunningham won MVP in 1998, and was an All-Pro the same season. While four total Pro Bowls and four All-Pro selections does not jump off of the page compared to the true all-time quarterbacks of his era, Cunningham’s influence on the next generation of Black quarterbacks carries authentic importance.

1. DL Jared Allen

Jared Allen gets a sack on Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford
Jared Allen gets a sack on Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford / Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Allen is the most recent of the players on this list to don the Vikings uniform. He was a terror throughout his 12 years in the league, but he made his bones playing in Minneapolis. Allen led the league in sacks twice, was a four-time First Team All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowl selection over the course of his career. Allen also has 136 career sacks, a milestone plenty of Hall of Fame defensive linemen never reached.