Husker Legend Mick Tingelhoff Passes Away

Football
9/12/2021 12:30:00 PM

NU Athletic Communications

Cornhusker legend Mick Tingelhoff passed away on Saturday at the age of 81. A native Nebraskan and three-year Husker letterwinner, Tingelhoff had a remarkable NFL career that led to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

A native of Lexington, Neb., Tingelhoff lettered for Nebraska from 1959 to 1961 and was a co-captain of the 1961 Cornhuskers for Coach Bill Jennings. He played on the offensive line at Nebraska that season alongside Bob Brown, a fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame member. Tingelhoff was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

Following his Nebraska career, Tingelhoff was an undrafted free agent. That did not deter Tingelhoff, who went on to start all 240 games he played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1962 to 1978. His 240 consecutive regular-season starts is the most by any offensive lineman in league history and third most all time.

Regarded as the best center of his era, Tingelhoff played on four Vikings’ teams that advanced to the Super Bowl. Tingelhoff played in 19 total playoff games during his career, and helped the Vikings win 10 division titles between 1968 and 1978. Tingelhoff was a six-time Pro Bowl selection, and a five-time first team All-Pro choice, while also earning second-team All-Pro honors one time in his career. Tingelhoff was a true ironman for Minnesota. In addition to playing in every game during his career, he reportedly never missed a practice with the Vikings.

Tingelhoff earned his rightful place in Canton, Ohio, in 2015 when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tingelhoff was inducted in the same Hall of Fame class as fellow Husker offensive lineman and perennial All-Pro Will Shields.

Tingelhoff is part of the Viking Ring of Honor and his #53 Minnesota jersey is retired by the organization.

Henry Michael “Mick” Tingelhoff was born on May 22, 1940, and grew up on a farm 10 miles outside of Lexington, Neb. He was a first-team all-state selection at Lexington High School in 1957.