On This Date in Minnesota History: February 3

February 3, 1940 - Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback, was born in Richmond, Va., on this date.

The Minnesota Vikings drafted Tarkenton in the third round of the 1961 NFL Draft. Tarkenton, 21, played his first National Football League game (and the Vikings' first game) on September 17 against the Chicago Bears, coming off the bench to lead the Vikings to a come-from-behind victory by passing for 250 yards and four touchdown passes and running for another as the upstarts stunned the Bears 37–13. He is the only player in NFL history to pass for four touchdowns in his first NFL game.

He played for the Vikings from 1961 to 1966 and 1972 to 1978, leading the Vikings to three Super Bowls in the 1970s, but lost all of them.

http://www.brainyhistory.com/daysbirth/birth_february_3.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran_Tarkenton

http://thehotirondaily.tumblr.com/post/20954969693/top-ten-minnesota-vikings-draft-picks-of-all-time