Shields, Tingelhoff Enter Hall of Fame

He’s so proud to be in this Class of 2015.

The original plan was for Tingelhoff to say a few words during his induction Saturday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Tingelhoff was one of 11 players to play in all four of the Vikings Super Bowl appearances during the 1970s and while he was never able to lift the Lombardi Trophy, the Nebraska native’s on-field dominance was unquestionable.

“This year, I guarantee will be even better”, Boykin said in an earlier interview with Philly.com, referring to the added practice routines and more intense workouts he now engages in to further improve his stance and skills. There is also expectation that CB Brandon Boykin will see plenty of action since he was recently acquired from the Eagles and has told the coaches to ‘throw me in whenever.’ Expect the Steelers defense to show some creative looks throughout the preseason with new defensive coordinator Keith Butler in charge. Tingelhoff played from 1962-1978, and is widely regarded as the best center in his era. “He had a jolt, a motor, a capacity to hit people that was stunning”.

After helping unveil Tingelhoff’s bronze bust, Tarkenton led his old center to the podium. “You have to maintain contact with your man all the time because when Fran passes you, he’ll probably be back again”.

Tarkenton asked Tingelhoff if he wanted to thank anyone, and Tingelhoff declined.

“Mick was a catalyst for our team and one of the most respected players on those teams”, Grant said. Vikings second round pick, linebacker Eric Kendricks, looks to be a starter at middle linebacker alongside Chad Greenway. He made six Pro Bowls and five times was named All-Pro.

But here in Minnesota we were touched by Tingelhoff.

Two of the greatest NFL ironmen were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the same night. Thankfully for the die-hard NFL fan the waiting ends tomorrow evening when the Minnesota Vikings meet the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2015 edition of the Hall of Fame Game. Tarkenton choked up (as did any Viking fan) when he stated that it was a 37 year wait for Mick to enter. “He’s waited quite a long time, but he’s finally getting in”. “The only thing that will make it happier is if Jim Marshall was here, and hopefully he will be at some point”.

Tingelhoff is the 14th center to be inducted and the first since Dermontti Dawson in 2012.

That gives Mike Tomlin an extra opportunity to study the talent he has and more chances to make decisions on who the final 53 will be.

Hall of Fame safety Paul Krause said it was great to be on-hand and see Tingelhoff receive well-deserved honor.

“I made sure we had that part in there”, Zimmer said. He played on the same line with fellow Hall of Fame tackle Ron Yary.

“There wasn’t anything he didn’t do well”, except cribbage, Sunde recalled. Others enshrined Saturday were executives Ron Wolf, a former Green Bay Packers general manager, and Bill Polian and players Charles Haley, Tim Brown, Will Shields and the late Junior Seau, who was represented by family members.