But, even as a life-long Lions fan, Fran Tarkenton is one of most admired NFL personages...
Always playing for “one for the thumb” (second-place rings!)
He was quarterbacking what was perhaps the greatest Vikings team ever to take the field (1975).
They/he were deprived of a Super Bowl shot when the refs decided to overlook a blatant push-off in the final seconds of a playoff game and hand the victory to "America's Team" with the original "Hail Mary" pass.
Fran's dad actually died watching that game.
It had to be the worst day of Fran's life.
The only consolation for Vikings fans was that the ref took a whiskey bottle to the head.
Of course, the Purple People and their fans have been paying for that one ever since...