We're counting down the top 5 SEC quarterbacks in history, starting with last week's pick, Eli Manning, coming in at #4. Here's our #3 pick:
#3 – Fran Tarkenton, Georgia Bulldogs (1958-1960)
The third best quarterback to play under center in SEC history on 2aDays's Top 5 list is Fran Tarkenton, University of Georgia and later Minnesota Vikings standout. Tarkenton is the prime example of a highly successful college athlete who continued to be incredibly successful in the pros. During his time on the Georgia Bulldogs football team, Tarkenton was a 2x First-Team All-SEC selection and led the Bulldogs to an SEC Conference championship in 1959. His success at the collegiate level was fully solidified in 1987 when he was decisively elected into the College Football Hall of Fame. Considering that in the 1960s, Georgia wasn't a powerhouse–the era was essentially dominated by Alabama, along with USC, Texas, and Notre Dame as the other powerhouse teams–Tarkenton's ability is still often overlooked because of the success of teams he was rivals with.
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That's probably why, in spite of Tarkenton touting some impressive stats–as the starting QB for one of college football's most dangerous teams competing in the toughest NCAA conference no less–he was largely overlooked in the 1961 NFL Draft. Ultimately, he was selected by the Minnesota Vikings as one of the final picks in the third round. Though Tarkenton spent a sizable chunk of his time in the NFL with the New York Giants, the move paid off for the Vikings as Tarkenton spent 13 total seasons under center for Minnesota.
Though he never wound up bringing a Super Bowl title to Minnesota, he led the Vikings to three Super Bowl appearances in 1973, 1974, and 1976. Additionally, Tarkenton guided the Vikings to two 12-win seasons in 1973 and 1975, as well as a 10-win season in 1976. Ironically in 1975, the Vikings lost 14-7 in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game to the Dallas Cowboys, despite Tarkenton having the most impressive statistical season of his NFL career . During that same 1975 season, Tarkenton led all NFL quarterbacks in completions, passing attempts, and touchdown passes, which ultimately earned him the honor of being named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year and more remarkably, the NFL's MVP Award. When Fran finally retired from professional football for good, his 9x Pro Bowl selections solidified his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which he was officially selected to in 1986.
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As far as the all-time great SEC QB's and even all-time great NFL QB's go, Fran Tarkenton is sometimes overlooked, but his career doesn't seem to indicate why. He didn't win a National Championship at Georgia, and he didn't win a Super Bowl in Minnesota, but few could argue he didn't give those teams the best possible chance. With little surrounding talent compared to his team's direct competitors, we overlooked Tarkenton never winning the “Big Game.” As an inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1986), College Football Hall of Fame (1987), Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (2000), and Athens, Georgia Athletic Hall of Fame (2000), we feel there's ample reason to justify Tarkenton's position at #3 on our list.
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Image Credit: 247sports
* Originally published on February 1, 2023, by 2aDays Staff
