Who's Next?

Steve Jordan was inducted into the Minnesota Vikings' Ring of Honor at halftime of Thursday's Vikings-Redskins game. It's a damn shame that the brief ceremony couldn't be part of FOX's telecast. I guess we have to see spend those precious minutes watching the same commercials that we saw in the first quarter. There are bills to pay. Jordan is the 25th recipient of the snappy purple jacket that goes with the honor. He's the best tight end in franchise history. Recognition of his status as one of the best football players in franchise history was very deserved and due.

498 receptions
6,307 yards
28 touchdowns

From 1982-94, he was part of a wave of tight ends that changed NFL football. Versatile, pass-catching, tight end talents like Kellen Winslow, Ozzie Newsome, Todd Chistensen, and Steve Jordan forced defenses to reckon with a position that was previously just an extra lineman. Jordan had a terrific 13-year career. He posted impressive stats. He made the Pro Bowl in six of his 13 seasons. That all pales to the character and leadership that he provided on and off the field. Steve Jordan is simply a great Minnesota Viking. It was only a matter of time as to when he'd join the other franchise greats in the Vikings Ring of Honor. That time is now.

Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor

Fran Tarkenton
Alan Page
Jim Finks
Bud Grant
Paul Krause
Fred Zamberletti
Jim Marshall
Ron Yary
Korey Stringer
Mick Tingelhoff
Car Eller
Cris Carter
Bill Brown
Jerry Burns
Randall McDaniel
Chuck Foreman
John Randle
Scott Studwell
Chris Doleman
Matt Blair
Joey Browner
Randy Moss
Ahmad Rashad
Dennis Green
Steve Jordan

With honors like this, about a moment after congratulating the recipient thoughts turn to "Who's next?" It's a sad part of our nature. So, "Who's next?" Who will be the 26th member of the Vikings Ring of Honor?

There will be a flood of players that played this century that are deserving of Ring of Honor status. Antoine Winfield, Kevin Williams, Chad Greenway, Jared Allen, Jim Kleinsasser, Steve Hutchinson, Matt Birk should see their day. I wouldn't complain if that day is next for any of them. All are deserving. Personally, I think the players that are most deserving of next are those that have been waiting the longest.

Grady Alderman
Bobby Bryant
Jeff Siemon
Keith Millard
Gary Zimmerman
Anthony Carter
Henry Thomas
Robert Smith

Of the above, I see Keith Millard, Gary Zimmerman, and Robert Smith as the most likely to be next.

Two weeks ago, I attended my first Vikings game in Minnesota. It was an incredible experience. Included in that experience was a visit to the Vikings Museum. It's a magical place. Of all the memorabilia, historical items, and displays in that magical place the one that has really stayed with me was a quite extensive Tommy Mason exhibit. It seems that he's been a bit forgotten over the Vikings' nearly 60 years. He shouldn't be. Mason was the Vikings' first ever draft pick. If fans know of him it's mostly because of that tag but he was much more than the first pick. In his six years in Minnesota, Mason went to three Pro Bowls and was All-Pro once. He was a versatile back during an era when backs mostly just ran the ball. Seeing as Mason was the the team's first draft pick, he's been waiting for Ring of Honor status longer than anyone. It isn't right that it took a museum exhibit for me to rethink Tommy Mason's significance in the history of the Minnesota Vikings but it did. If it was up to me the first draft pick of the Vikings will be the 26th member of the team's Ring of Honor.