?You Make Eye Contact?: Vikings Bid Tearful Adieu to Legendary Quarterback Who Battled 15-Year Alzheimer’s War

In the realm of sports, heroes rise, and legends are born, captivating the hearts of fans far beyond the arena. These stories remind us that the legends are not invincible, even if they face the strongest battles of life. And this is the story of a similar athlete. From his illustrious days as a college football star to his storied career as a professional player, his leadership and tenacity remained unparalleled. He played with the California Golden Bears from 1956 to 1958 and later joined the Minnesota Vikings, where he showcased his prowess and steered the team to the Super Bowl appearance. Such is the story of the legendary Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Joe Kapp, who died at 85 on Monday after fighting a battle against Alzheimer’s.

Joseph Robert Kapp, an American football player, coach, and executive, left an indelible mark on the sport with his remarkable journey. His path to greatness began on the football field, where his exceptional talent and unwavering determination propelled him to new heights. And, his teammates and former team gave him the tribute he deserved, in their own way.

Teammates give a beautiful tribute to the Vikings? legend

Kapp passed away at the age of 85 on Monday, May 8, after a 15-year battle with dementia. His demise has plunged the entire sports industry and his followers into profound sorrow. People from all walks of life are bidding farewell to this iconic figure in their unique ways, including his former team, Minnesota Vikings. On Tuesday, the Vikings released a memorial video on YouTube to honor him. The video featured the voices of numerous former teammates paying their respects.

Among those voices is that of Joe Henderson, one of Kapp’s former teammates. He eloquently described Kapp’s personality, stating, ?Joe Kapp was a truly inspirational leader at every play in the huddle.? Henderson continued, emphasizing the impact of Kapp’s passion, saying, ?You make eye contact with him, and you could see the passion in his eyes and his desire to win?.that inspired us as players to do the same.?

Besides Henderson’s voice, the memorial video featured the voices of other notable individuals associated with the Minnesota Vikings. These included Bud Grant, the team’s former head coach, and recorded statements from Kapp himself and former Vikings players Bob Grim and Gary Larsen.

The video also included a poignant clip of Kapp returning his MVP award, expressing, ?There is no most valuable Viking, there are only 40 most valuable Vikings, 40 for 60, put it that way. I just can?t accept this.? Furthermore, he had a legendary record in his name.

Fans remember the man with a historical record

Kapp was the sole quarterback in the history of football to lead his team in all three prestigious championships: the Rose Bowl (with the University of California), the Super Bowl appearance (with the Vikings), and the Canadian Grey Cup (with the BC Lions). In acknowledgment of his significant contributions to the sport, Kapp was given the honor of induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

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Undoubtedly, these reasons left his fans in awe of his simplicity, honesty, and unparalleled success. After the news of his demise, there was a torrent of deep-felt tributes on social media from his fans, highlighting the profound impact he has on their lives.

Some users fondly reminisced about their self-affinity for the Vikings, sharing a connection with Joe Kapp.

There was a user who also got the chance to click his sisters with the legend.

Some users expressed their heartbreaks with emoticons and wrote – ?Rest in peace.?

Despite the challenges Kapp encountered, he emerged as a beacon of hope and courage and became a source of inspiration for countless individuals. Through his extraordinary achievements, both within and beyond the realm of football, he undeniably secured his place among the 50 greatest Vikings of all time. As the Vikings’ video mentioned, “he indeed was not a classic quarterback. He was a winning quarterback.” For his devoted fans, Joe Kapp will forever be enshrined as a legend.

Farewell, Kapp! You Will Be Missed!

(1938-2023)

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