Top 7 Minnesota Vikings Centers
1. Mick Tingelhoff (1962-78)
2. Matt Birk (1998-2008)
3. Jeff Christy (1993-99)
4. Garrett Bradbury (2019-present)
5. John Sullivan (2008-14)
6. Dennis Swilley (1977-87)
7. Kirk Lowdermilk (1985-92)
The Vikings have interesting and strong center tradition. Essentially, the above seven centers have been the centers for the team’s 64 years in the league. The only other centers are Bill Lapham in 1961 and Joe Berger and Pat Elflein in the years between John Sullivan and Garrett Bradbury. Other than three years, the Vikings have only known centering consistency. It’s a remarkable history at the position.
Mick Tingelhoff is the jewel of the Vikings centers. He finally made it to Canton in 2015. He should’ve made it decades earlier. Despite beating on and being beaten on by middle linebacker monsters like Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke, Tommy Nobis, and Mike Curtis, Tingelhoff never missed a game in his 17 years. He was incredibly durable and productive for the entirety of his very long career.
Matt Birk is an easy pick to follow the great Mick Tingelhoff in this ranking. The former Harvard tackle made a seemingly easy transition to center in the NFL.
Of the remaining five centers, Jeff Christy is the only one that enjoyed some Pro Bowl recognition. In that regard, John Sullivan, Dennis Swilley, and Kirk Lowdermilk were unjustly snubbed.
Garrett Bradbury has many critics. His place in the middle of this ranking might draw guffaws. He has his strengths. Mentally and physically, he’s quick. His weaknesses come with his smallish size. He would’ve envied many of Tingelhoff’s opponents. That was a very different era for the NFL. This era is littered with gigantic defensive tackles that line up on top of centers. I keep hoping that he finds a workable balance that will allow his quickness to be an advantage against the behemoths. If he can’t, his place on this list will probably drop to #6 or #7.
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