Be like Mick
The Vikings' rich history of strength and durability at the center position began in their second year of existence when Hall of Famer Mick Tingelhoff opened the season with the first of his 240 consecutive starts over the next 17 seasons. Tingelhoff was the only Vikings rookie to start a season opener at center until Pat Elflein started in Monday night's win against New Orleans. In 57 seasons of Vikings football, only 10 players have started more than 10 games at center. Here they are:
StartsPlayerYears as a Viking
240Mick Tingelhoff1962-78
123Matt Birk1998-2008
101Dennis Swilley1977-83, '85-87
93John Sullivan2008-15
92Jeff Christy1993-99
86Kirk Lowdermilk1985-92
48Joe Berger2011-17
17Adam Schreiber1990-93
14Bill Lapham1961
12Cory Withrow1999-2005
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Sports
Vikings
Next phase of O'Connell's quarterback journey begins right now
In the first round of the NFL draft tonight, the Vikings could make franchise history with a choice coach Kevin O'Connell was hired two years ago to make.
Variety
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer, Art Schallock, is turning 100
Whether at home or on the road, Art Schallock would begin each day by taking the elevator down to the lobby and collecting the latest comic books for roommate Yogi Berra.
Sports
Anze Kopitar scores in overtime, Kings beat Oilers 5-4 in Game 2 to tie series
Anze Kopitar fired a wrist shot past Stuart Skinner's glove and into the top corner on a breakaway to give the Los Angeles Kings a 5-4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series.
Sports
Thunder's Holmgren bests Pelicans' Valanciunas in center matchup to help OKC take 2-0 lead
Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren won his center matchup with Jonas Valanciunas and helped Oklahoma City beat the New Orleans Pelicans 124-92 in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series Wednesday night.
Sports
AP PHOTOS: Russian kids ride sticks with a horse's head in hobby horsing competition
Several dozen kids — 48 girls and one boy, from first-graders to teenagers — gathered recently at a gymnasium in northern St. Petersburg for a hobby horsing competition. The event looked exactly like a proper equestrian competition, but instead of a horse they rode a stick with a horse's head.
