Vikings centers plant deep roots
The first Vikings center, in 1961, was Bill Lapham. Since then, they have used a steady string of veteran iron men, all but one of whom have played with the team for at least seven seasons:
CenterDrafted/collegeYears with VikingsStarter (games)
Bill Lapham14th round (by Philadelphia)/Drake19611961 (13)
Mick TingelhoffUndrafted/Nebraska1962-781962-78 (240)
Dennis SwilleySecond round/Texas A&M1977-871979-86 (101)
Kirk LowdermilkThird round/Ohio State1985-921987-92 (86)
Adam SchreiberNinth round (by Seattle)/Texas1990-931993 (16)
Jeff ChristyFourth round (by Phoenix)/Pittsburgh1993-991994-99 (91)
Matt BirkSixth round/Harvard1998-20082000-08 (123)
John SullivanSixth round/Notre Dame2008-present2009-present (91)
Pro Bowl selections: 14 total — Tingelhoff 6, Birk 6, Christy 2
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