Slap the Sign
Fansided

The Top Five Notre Dame First Round Picks of All Time

By Bobby Norell

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - CIRCA 1960's: running back Paul Hornung #5 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball against the St. Louis Cardinals circa early 1960's during an NFL football game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Horning played for the Packers from 1957 - 66 (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - CIRCA 1960's: running back Paul Hornung #5 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball against the St. Louis Cardinals circa early 1960's during an NFL football game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Horning played for the Packers from 1957 - 66 (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Notre Dame Football
HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 13: Alan Page #88 of the Minnesota Vikings tackles Jim Kiick #21 of the Miami Dolphins during Super Bowl VIII at Rice Stadium January 13, 1974 in Houston, Texas. The Dolphins won the Super Bowl 24-7. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

No. 4 Alan Page

While in South Bend, Page was part of Notre Dame football’s resurgence under head coach Ara Parseghian. He was a member of the 1966 National Championship team and part of a defense which many consider one of the best in Notre Dame history. He was also an All-American in 1966.

Page was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 15th pick in the first round of the 1967 NFL Draft. With the Vikings he was a member of the vaunted “Purple People Eaters” defensive line, which was known for sacking and getting pressure on the opposing quarterback. Page led Minnesota to Super Bowl appearances in 1970, ’74, ’75 and ’77. In fact he is one of only 11 players in Vikings history to be part of all four Super Bowl teams.

As for personal achievements Page was a nine-time Pro Bowler, a six-time first-team All-Pro and an 11-time first-team All-NFC. He was named 1970 NFC Defensive Player of the Year. 1971 was perhaps his best year as a pro. That year he was became the first defensive player ever to win the NFL MVP award. He was also named the UPI Player of the Year and the AP Defensive Player of the Year. Because of his success, Page was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. He has also had his No.88 retired by the Vikings and has also been inducted into their ring of honor. He is considered by some one of the best defensive linemen of all time. Like George Connor, he is also a member of both College and Pro Football Hall of Fames.

After his football career Page went on serve as a justice in the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Next: The Bus

Home/nfl draft