A look back at former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Alan Page's 1971 Season

[@TheMkarr]

Oh those were such fun times. Vikings, snow, Christmas & making life fun ! Thanks guys.

[@racerd3801]

One of my all-time heroes and a great role model for any young person to emulate, I was so happy for him when he was awarded the medal of freedom.

[@vikingjerome2438]

I became a vikings fan because of alan page & the purple people eaters thxs for the memorys

[@kevinharrissr5255]

I was a huge rams fan back then so names like Carl Eller, Alan page, Gary Larsen, Jim marshal, and Doug Sutherland caused me many a heartache back in those days.

[@mestopholies]

These guys and tarkenton running around made me a viking fan as a kid now i bleed purple forever skol!

[@paysonfox88]

The only defensive tackle or end that I've seen in the modern game, that could line up anywhere he wanted to, is JJ Watt. In the modern game, JJ Watt is a sensation as he should be,. But I think Alan Page was significantly better. we give props to JJ Watt forgetting 21 sacks in a 16-game season,. Alan Page got over 20 sacks in multiple seasons in 14 games. The biggest MVP snub of all-time had to have been 2014 and JJ Watt though. He came in a very close second to Aaron Rodgers. Make no doubt's though, JJ Watt was more valuable to his team then Aaron Rodgers.

[@bikefixer]

Outdoor football, on grass and mud in bad weather. That's the best football there is.

[@brianbachmeier34]

Class act. He set a good example off and on the field. Much respect.

[@chadlawrence5865]

Class act on and off the field and very educated.. He helped me out of a snowbank in uptown Minneapolis where he lived 1996. Great guy.

[@snoopfrogg1975]

GOAT. He is incredible, truly inspiring

[@twine3410]

That was back when the NFL was fun to watch. The Purple People Eaters were bad to the bone!

[@thatonesquidfromclemson7536]

twine3410 purple people eaters vs steel curtain

[@paysonfox88]

My dad always talked about watching them. He said that the Vikings were the most entertaining team in the league. They had really good defensive line with Marshall and page. They also had a really entertaining quarterback ran around everywhere called Fran Tarkington. Thinking about it, they were a lot like the cowboys.

[@sandyhancock5521]

Yes!! The fearsome foursome too!! Good times!😊

[@craigkvamme1171]

@@paysonfox88 70/71 the offense was almost outscored by defense. Between kapp/Fran they lost in 1st rounds twice

[@scottytomcat4267]

What a true great great football player what a man very intelligent miss watching him

[@pigurine]

God, how I loved those Vikings, the real Vikings.

[@kevinharrissr5255]

They were monsters and playing back in old metropolitan Stadium made them seem so much more menacing especially being the biggest LA rams fan ever.

[@pedalsbeatlejuicelodermeie319]

The best years were with Cunningham, Smith, Moss, Carter

[@kevinharrissr5255]

I hated them. Especially Fran Tarkenton. They always kept rams out of the Superbowl only to go themselves and get blown out every time.

[@depaola63]

Oh me too ! I had all the garb , growing up in the east bay ( I am now 55)..these are my Vikes ! ( heartbreak hotel ) Chuck Foreman too was my man ! If they would have just WON one of those 3 in Foreman's first 4 seasons, He's in The HOF !! Great player all around ! ( 1975 he was the 1st to do much that season ! )...That last SB Oakland made him cry ! Me too !! ( I was 13 on that beautiful day )

[@6400az]

@@pedalsbeatlejuicelodermeie319 I guess its a matter of personal choice. The 98 squad and the players you mention where certainly entertaining , but they had NO defense to speak of.

[@raymondhoagland4976]

He was my favorite Viking of all time , great man and individual who helped the community ! Watching the high lights brings chills, love the guy !

[@aldixon1977]

Alan Page may very well have been the greatest Defensive Tackle to play the game...

[@willbergie55]

A friend of mine was the middle linebacker on this team, number 59 Lonnie Warwick.

[@raddmann336]

Lonnie was a tough dude

[@Deucealive75]

And Alan just received the metal of freedom from the president. Great player, and a great man.

[@deanlucas761]

Alan was without a doubt the fastest lineman in his time, I'd love to have seen him as running back or tight end he'd have been devastating!

[@MegaJustGeorge]

For some years, now, I've considered Alan Page to be what one journalist called "The Thinking Man's Tackle"; I do believe that he was always thinking ahead. I salute you, Mr. Page.

[@rondirckx2466]

A great man on or off the field of football

[@TheTRAINOR11]

I hope the Vikings get their superbowl victory soon. I felt bad for these Vikings. They went up against four of the greatest teams ever. I hope the young bucks can get them redemption one day soon.

[@ryanlion101192]

It will soon!!

[@patsfan4life]

One of only two defensive league mvps ever (Lawrence Taylor-86)

[@t4texastomjohnnycat978]

trha2222 No.

[@aaronbradley3232]

Is that true? They're the only two that ever won the MVP Reggie White number one one even though we had more sex than games for 3/4 of his career well ain't that crazy Paul Krause and his million interceptions Night Train Lane when he was way ahead of his time none of those people ever won shit

[@aaronbradley3232]

@trha2222 no not the bumerator

[@rudywebb9317]

Co-mvps....Harvey martian- Randy white..D.Cowboys .

[@bikefixer]

Watching DT Page, I'm reminded how much he was the prototype of LB Lawrence Taylor in the relentless way he pursued the ball carrier.

[@revpgesqredux]

my all time favorite. sometimes the smartest guy doesn't fit in all buddy-buddy. If you are committed to principles, sometimes it is better to be silent because others will just be upset and undesirous of a serious discussion they are likely not prepared to have.

[@t4texastomjohnnycat978]

There are MANY great defensive lineman in the long history of the NFL. But there are three that come to mind that could almost completely dominate not only the player assigned to block them, but dominate the entire game...... Deacon Jones, Bob Lilly, & and Alan Page. Page played on a team that had one of greatest, if not THE greatest, defenses in NFL history. 🏈

[@jenyakostak2155]

T4TEXASTOM JOHNNYCAT Don’t you want to include LT at least?! Nor Bruce Smith and Reggie

[@Tcchamp5877]

Everyone who played defensive line at any level wanted to be like him, but nobody could be like him..He's the greatest defensive tackle ever and I realize there's been some great ones but to me he's the best..

[@kevinharrissr5255]

He was alright. But he's no Aaron Donald. Lol. Just kidding

[@purplesword3800]

I am a vikings fan and have been since 67..i love the purple gang so much but i must say they never played well in a super bowl & it tarnishes their legacy..

[@kevinharrissr5255]

Me being the ultimate low Angeles rams fan I loved seeing them slaughtered in the super bowls. They kept us out and couldn't do anything when they got there. We just never had the quarterback to get us over the hump.

[@kevinharrissr5255]

Dam vikings

[@kevinharrissr5255]

The worst day of my life was 1976 mud bowl at the coliseum. We finally got the Vikings here in LA and promptly had a monsoon hit. Guess inclimate weather followed the Vikings. We lost that game 14 to 7 when pat Hayden threw last minute hail Mary interception to Paul krause or Nate Allen. Again dam Vikings.

[@fearthemunky1]

I don't think it was a matter of them not playing well in the Super Bowl. They just went up against better teams. There is no shame in losing to the Chiefs, Dolphins, Steelers, and Raiders when they did. Minnesota was not on par with any of those teams, although their defense played great against Pittsburgh but Pittsburgh's was an all-time great.

[@paysonfox88]

It has been estimated that in 1971 -- Alan page got over 20 Sacks in 14 games, and was directly responsible for at least 4 TD's and 2 Safety plays. He forced several fumbles, intercepted passes, batted down pass attempts, and made tackles at an unheard of rate that year. If any defender ever deserved the MVP it was he in 1971. It's this precedent that got me upset in 2014 when JJ Watt was narrowly defeated by Aaron Rodgers for MVP. Watt got a rare voting consideration that year due to his play. But Even Watt's 2014 was not as dominant of a season as the 1971 was for Alan Page.

[@jeffflair]

I Remember When That Happened to The Page Family so sad it Really is I Remember When It Was Found Out That Alan Page Was A Pro Football Player They Couldn't Have Been More Sorry For The Incident And This Shit Still Happens TODAY Alan Page One Of My Favorites

[@seancuneen2690]

This man is the smartest and best defensive player in the history of the nfl.my favorite

[@kenarthur6253]

Vikings we're great team and fun to watch. Wish they could have won a Super Bowl back then. Cowboys, Steelers, and Dolphins were just a little better. Loved those outdoor games in the snow. Real football.

[@oldschoolruler]

Those Raiders had a decent team as well...

[@kpz1234]

The most underrated player in NFL history.

[@zarehh123]

Please Vikings just win once before I die. SKOL!

[@brianbachmeier34]

Alan Page #88 of the Minnesota Vikings Career Accomplishments Minnesota Vikings (1967-78) Chicago Bears (1978-1981) 9x Pro Bowl selection 9x All Pro selection 1971 MVP 1971 Defensive Player of the Year 1973 Defensive Player of the Year 23 fumble recoveries 28 blocked kicks 173 sacks Never missed a game Pro Football Hall of Fame selection

[@thezdbailey]

Oh God. As soon as the video starts all I can think of is, "Yeah. I hate renta cops too." Keith David is so great at narrating videos like this.

[@aaronbradley3232]

And on Rick and Morty to don't forget how good he is on that

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

Only defensive tackle to win the League MVP award 🏆 2x DPOY 🏆🏆 1969 NFL champion 9x All Pro 9x Pro Bowl 70s All Decade Team 2x NCAA championships with Notre Dame Played DT with Chicago & Minnesota from 1968-1982 Football 🏈 HOF

[@sandyhancock5521]

My favorite!!👍

[@rockridgefarms]

Good memories! Vikes

[@johnaugsburger6192]

Thanks

[@josephnicolino8529]

Back when they played in a real ballpark.

[@craigkvamme1171]

Cubs, both Sox teams. SKOL?

[@billschauberger1150]

I remember that game with the Detroit Lions where referees called Alan Page for several offsides and he was so incensed that he sacked the Lions QB for a loss and he tackled the RB for loss and the Lions went back 25 yds.

[@stevenervo2438]

I remember watching the game also. Saturday afternoon game

[@willmpet]

I remember that the Vikings beat the Lions 20 games in a row!

[@tonygriffin6144]

class act.

[@tweachiemercer1589]

LOL, SMH

[@badlands555]

Does anyone know for sure what page did when they mentioned 3 or 4 plays in a row? Thought that he either tackled the runner for a loss sacked the qb and then blocked the punt on 4 plays in a row?

[@Maal7432]

Top 5

[@willyphast2509]

as a young man i wanted him to get p o cuz he would yes" turn off a offence. thanks to kieth david for calling this one.

[@dodge96neon]

COULD someone be kind to respond with the stats that page had that year

[@craigkvamme1171]

Google does that, if u try

[@radioham6979]

Helmets have really improved since 1971.

[@johndoe-tx4vw]

They look different, but I wouldn't say they have improved.

[@tommythomason6187]

Terrible, outrageous act committed against his family. I know I'd be seething mad. And, he was 225 pounds but just beat bigger men at the line of scrimmage with that quickness and speed. Few handled him. The Chiefs did, and Keuchenberg did for the Dolphins in the Super Bowl. And, he was still unreal with the Bears.

[@mahdiahmedi5082]

The Purple people eaters.

[@stevelove5125]

Purple People Eaters........

[@uknowiamgreat]

Didn’t he become a judge in Minnesota?

[@travisverble8189]

Yes He did, became a federal judge...I think....

[@scottj214]

Minnesota Supreme Court judge.

[@Cordell_-mz7ww]

dwone jones gtfo

[@johndoe-tx4vw]

I thought Page played his high school ball at Canton Central Catholic. They must have know who he was. First black to be admitted to the University of Notre Dame.

[@macferadaig3092]

There were black students enrolled at Notre Dame before Alan Page was born.

[@joemoschetta1541]

dome football should be outlawed ,it ruins the game

[@eclecticentertainmentwithd9414]

Never figured why Atlanta and NO have domes...and Dallas might as well be.

[@bishlap]

thanks Joe, couldn't agree more. Hate domes/artificial turf, and they're always DARK!!!

[@joemoschetta1541]

@@bishlap will it ever change?

[@roundtable3501]

Respectfully disagree, but do see your point

[@DanielGarcia-du5pm]

3 comments waaaaaaaaaaaawww

[@jeffreyanderson5483]

Not much padding in those old helmets.

Minnesota Vikings have always been "too civilized". (aside from dirty season ending tackle on Aaron Rodgers last year). That's why they have never won the Superbowl.

[@fearthemunky1]

Nonsense. They just weren't nearly as good as the teams they lost to in the Super Bowls. You tell me which team they were better than. The one that should really sting is when they lost to that inferior Atlanta team. They definitely would have been the favorite vs. Denver that season. A missed FG of all things by a guy who hadn't missed all year.

[@scottytomcat4267]

Stop playing the race card stop being the victim work hard and you will get ahead life doesn't give you things you have to work for them eventually you're going to run out of other people's money so you better have some of your own!

[@carsonc29]

Page didnt play the race card, it got played on him by the white waitress...his family got racially profiled...did you think he was suppose to brush it off???

[@davanmani556]

Scotty tomcat Why is Donald Trump President and you aren’t?

[@scottytomcat4267]

@@davanmani556 Because president- (president) trump is one of a kind hes a winner

[@tweachiemercer1589]

"For me the game was about performance, it wasn't about winning or losing", he didn't perform or win in 4 Super Bowls.

[@thescatman5029]

All four teams keyed on him!

[@tweachiemercer1589]

@@thescatman5029 - As a HoF'er one time defensive player of the year he should have been better against the run. He was undersized and in the 4 Super Bowls the other teams didn't key on him they simple ran AT him and he was overpowered. With the exception of 1 interception in 1 playoff game against the Rams I don't recall him an having the kind of effect on the outcome of any game that a player with his reputation should have had.

[@stevenervo2438]

That was an unfortunate comment

[@tweachiemercer1589]

@@stevenervo2438 -You may feel it was unfortunate but it was true.

[@sportshistorybuff]

Page wasn't any more responsible for those losses than the rest of the Viking roster. They had the misfortune of playing against 3 of the greatest NFL teams in history, as well as a seriously underrated Chiefs team.

[@stevek6518]

0-4 in Super Bowls

[@stevek6518]

He was good but nowhere near as good as Mean Joe Greene

[@kevinharrissr5255]

Totally disagree. Mean Joe had far more talent around him. That defense had numerous hall of gamers.

[@johndoe-tx4vw]

He was better. Faster, tougher etc..

[@stevek6518]

@@johndoe-tx4vw I hope you mean Joe Greene was better faster tougher. There's a great quote in the book 3 Bricks Shy of a Load - "Joe Greene could knock Alan Page down and stomp on his chest"

[@Deucealive75]

Joe Greene is credited with 78.5 career sacks. Alan Page is credited with 148.5 sacks. LOL.

[@roundtable3501]

@@stevek6518 In what way is he “nowhere near” as good as him. Alan page had 70 more sacks than joe Greene, which is unbelievable in itself, and he even had more playoff sacks than joe Greene, so the stuff about him losing doesn’t make Greene way better, it just means the Vikings team wasn’t as good. Now we go to fumble recoveries. Alan page: 23 and 2 touchdowns, joe Greene: 16 and 0 touchdowns. Safeties: Alan page: 3, joe Greene: 0. Alan page had 1 more interception as well. So, as we see if you look at stats, Alan page would be superior. Yes, everything isn’t stats, and joe Greene did some great things not logged in the stat book, but that isn’t enough to say he’s way better. It’s clearly very close and many expert analysts (who know more about the game than you) rank page ahead of Greene. Now, that doesn’t mean those ones are objectively right, but it does in fact show that you aren’t right about page being nowhere near joe Greene. Page being 0-4 in Super Bowls or the book “About Three Bricks Shy of a Load,” aren’t good arguments either.