Drafted in the 29th round — the 29th round! — of the NFL draft, Bob Schnelker built a nine-year playing career as a receiver and qualified for two Pro Bowls.
He coached for almost 30 years, spending his last four in the NFL as Jerry Burns' offensive coordinator with the Vikings.
In 1987, Schnelker, who died at the age of 88 on Monday, featured the explosiveness of Anthony Carter while the Vikings beat New Orleans and the dynastic 49ers on the road in the playoffs before losing a close game to eventual Super Bowl champion Washington.
Schnelker enjoyed a long and eventful career. He also became a pioneer. He helped blaze the trail for offensive coordinators as blame receptacles.
On Nov. 5, 1989, the Vikings beat the Los Angeles Rams 23-21 at the Metrodome on their way to winning the division title, on the strength of seven field goals and a safety.
During the game, Vikings fans jeered Schnelker, particularly when the stadium scoreboard showed his face.
After the game, Burns foreshadowed the arrival of Chris Rock as a comedian who works blue.
Offensive coordinators had always existed, even if by different names. Every head coach employed an offensive guru or assistant, even if the head coach ran the offense and called the plays. The second-guessing of offensive play calls always existed as well.