Thursday's Hometown Hero was Trish Thacker, the Executive Director of The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center in Minneapolis. When he was still in diapers, Kleinsasser had trouble breathing, so Carter and Kathe took him to the hospital. Sheri was his idol. I've got college friends who are here, who provided an instant support system. Jim Kleinsasser, or "The Sauce," is one of those former players that define what it means to be a Viking. Once again, Jimmy dived for cover. Jimmy, his son, plans to retire from the NFL after two more games, having broken the team record for most games played by a Vikings tight end, lasting much longer than his parents expected and five years longer than even he had hoped. The past 13 years, Carter and Kathe Kleinsasser have made the six-hour drive to the Metrodome for Vikings games that didn't coincide with blizzards or harvests. Former NFL fullback and tight end who played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1999 to 2011. "He's one of the last of a dying breed. Thats been a big for me.. In the movie 50 First Dates, Kleinsasser is mentioned by Sean Astin's character briefly before Kleinsasser scores a touchdown on the TV. Nothings ever been dull around here. The Vikings traded three draft picks to Pittsburgh to move up and select him in the second round of the 1999 NFL draft, 44th overall. Here's to a guy who's always been an accountable teammate. The Seventies saw many women's rights, gay rights, and environmental movements. "He's still very considerate, still very much himself. "He'd want one soon as he got into the truck, and then he'd get hungry later. He is from United States. Former Vikings WR Jarius Wright sounded the Gjallarhorn prior to the Vikings-Jets game on Dec. 4. 1 priority in free agency was re-signing Jimmy Kleinsasser, Tice said. "The secret was, I always made him two lunches," Kathe said. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell surprised young Vikings fan Charlie Huizinga with a pair of tickets to the Super Bowl during Sunday's game against the Giants. They're flexible and good at improvising. "The Vikings are smart enough to realize that a guy that like, who is so dependable and is still a dominating blocker on the outside, is someone you've got to hold on to," Birk said. "He has been lifting weights as long as I can remember.". "He always wanted to play with me and my friends," Sheri said. Jimmy C. Kleinsasser attended North Dakota. "You see that long run by Adrian Peterson last week?" She would turn her back, post me up and hit this sweet little fadeaway baseline jumper, and I'd try to lean on her and fall on my butt. We'd sit there and drink a cup of coffee and talk about football, ice fishing, our kids, whatever. There is nothing, outside of your own misdeeds, you have to worry about.". The Kleinsassers moved here in 1974, to acquire more farmland, and planted a long row of evergreens for beauty and protection from the high winds, and a couple of ash trees for shade. He started his career with Minnesota as a fullback before becoming one of the league's top blocking tight ends. Menards is bringing in former UND hockey player Dave Christian on Wednesday and former Minnesota Twins third baseman Gary Gaetti on Thursday. He also had 43 carries for 147 years and a touchdown. Zodiac Sign: Jim Kleinsasser is a Aquarius. '", Years later, Jimmy ran into Theismann at a golf tournament and told him he cried the day Theismann's leg was broken in one of the more grotesque moments in NFL history. Jim Kleinsasser is a Aquarius and his 47th birthday is in, The 46-year-old American was born in the Generation X and the Year of the Serpent. Like many famous people and celebrities, Jim Kleinsasser keeps his personal life private. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. The nurse looked at us and said, 'We thought he was six months old.'". Vikings RT Brian O'Neill sounded the Gjallarhorn prior to Sunday's game against the Giants. and 272 pounds, he became a tight end for the Minnesota Vikings. He finished his career with the second-most starts by a tight end in Vikings history with 119. In high school, Kleinsasser often had to wear his basketball shoes during track season, and when the Vikings drafted him, they didn't have any cleats large enough for him to wear. In football, he was a two time All-Region honoree and All-State honoree, and was twice named the Gatorade Circle of Champions North Dakota Player of the Year. We knew how good he was.". In football, he was a two time All-Region honoree and All-State honoree, and was twice named the Gatorade Circle of Champions North Dakota Player of the Year. Randall Cunningham was the starting quarterback when he debuted in 1999, the year current starter Christian Ponder turned 11. North Dakota was a Division II school at the time. 2023 Celebrity Net Worth / All Rights Reserved. For right now, he plans to continue spending quality time with his family. Jim Kleinsasser's House in Mound, MN (Google Maps) Mound, Minnesota (MN), US Like Tweet Share Pin The professional football player lives here. And it takes some luck just to stick around in this league. Jim Kleinsasser's House Maps / Jim Kleinsasser's House Info Nearby (810) Like No Thumbnail Google Maps Google Maps Bing Maps Birds Eye By tlp333 @ 2007-10-03 19:25:21 @ 44.920206, -93.697647 Mound, Minnesota (MN), US The professional football player lives here. The Kleinsassers expected Jimmy to be drafted in the second or third round by the New York Giants. North Dakota lawmakers adjourn after approving record $19.6B budget, U of M graduate student workers win vote to unionize, Red Flag Warning issued for northwest and west-central Minnesota, With return in motion, UND's Ihenacho says 'I shouldn't have left in the first place'. Its been a step back and just focusing on family, Kleinsasser said. I guess that was his early lesson in humility.". How tall is Jim Kleinsasser? However, the snake can be overly suspicious, which makes them a bit paranoid. NEW April issue of Prairie Business out now! Many people would simply overlook the fact that Peterson hasn't done all of this by himself. Kleinsasser has played for four head coaches. The strengths of this sign are being independent, original, while the weaknesses can be running from emotional expression, temperamental and uncompromising. Kleinsasser was often known for his skill in pass and run blocking, and was a fixture on the offensive line as teammate Adrian Peterson shattered several team records and led the league in rushing during the 2008 season. He is a member of famous with the age 46 years old group. and 272 pounds, he became a tight end for the Minnesota Vikings. He remained with the team for more than a decade, playing from 1999 until 2011. North Dakota was a Division II school at the time. The Minnesota Vikings drafted him with the 44th overall pick during the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. Vikings tight end Jim Kleinsasser confirmed today that he will retire at the end of the season. He grew up with his family in White River Junction, Vermont. I let him, as long as he would lay down in the backseat. The result was a massive, fast, skilled athlete. Next Sunday, Jimmy Kleinsasser -- the former UND standout -- will line up against the Bears and throw a few more blocks before ending a career that has unfolded like every little league parent's . He was a two-time Gatorade Circle of Champions North Dakota player of the year in football. The former Minnesota Vikings tight end/fullback remembers traveling to his grandparents house between the Belfield-Medora area when he was younger.My moms side of family is from out here, said Kleinsasser, who grew up in Carrington. Sheri was his idol. "He couldn't stand to lose.". He was always a good eater.". "But I would guess he's still available in most fantasy leagues. the outer planets, Neptune and Pluto, were not yet discovered, since the telescope had not yet been invented. He speaks highly of his mom and dad and about doing right by them, Hochhalter said. Minnesota Vikings great Jim Kleinsasser's Last run through the tunnel 1-1-2012 Next Sunday, Jimmy Kleinsasser will line up against the Bears and throw a few more blocks before ending a career that has unfolded like every little league parent's daydream. The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. A Vikings team picture stands on an easel near the front door, and the walls are filled with likenesses of roosters. 7. Kleinsasser, in his 13th season with the Vikings, was a second round draft pick from North Dakota in 1999. Looking back, UND running back Phillip Moore, the school's all-time leading rusher with 5,467 yards, remembers his 1998 team mostly using tight end Jim Kleinsasser in the screen game. When Jimmy was in middle school, Carter fired up the obsolete machine that produced square bales, just to show the kids how farm work was done before modern machines did the hoisting. On Sunday, Kleinsasser will suit up one last time in purple. Im sure Ill get emotional on the field sometime, but I want to come into the game and play it like any other game. [3][4][5] He demonstrated remarkable durability throughout his career, playing in all 16 games up to 2010, except for missing 15 games because of an knee injury in 2004. Published April 25, 2022 at 3:14 PM CDT. "You've got the farms and the bars and the churches and the characters. He's one of the hardest working guys in Minnesota and is never afraid to put his nose to the grindstone for his teammates. Jim Kleinsassers age is 46. Generation X. Jim Kleinsasser was born in the middle of Generation X. Kleinsasser retired at the end of the 2011 NFL season after 13 seasons with the Vikings.[7]. Jim Kleinsassers income source is mostly from being a successful . Jim Kleinsasser, the longest-tenured Viking on the team's roster, is entering his 13th year in the NFL -- all in Minnesota -- and has been one of the most physical tight ends in the team's. "The best thing about Jim is that he hasn't changed,'' Kathe said. He is popular for being a Football Player. Vikings head coach Mike Tice said, If people look at the true requirements of the position, then I think they would agree that Jimmy is the best all-around tight end in the league.. He can block at the point, he can pass protect, he can catch, he can run after the catch., Kleinsasser credited growing up in North Dakota for the skills and values needed to be successful in life saying, Dont ever take for granted growing up in this great state, because the opportunities are available to you if you want to succeed. By After a 13-year career, all of them spent in a Vikings uniform, Kleinsasser will retire. "We joke that he's the 'Missing Link,' because he'll get hurt and a couple of days later he's 100 percent again," Hutchinson said. Carter planted sunflowers, soybeans and wheat. These hippie kids protested against the Vietnam War and participated in the civil rights movement. "We'd bounce the ball two or three times, and we'd be in a fight. "He has been lifting weights as long as I can remember.". His blocking skills also paved the way for 7 of the top 8 single-season rushing marks in Vikings history, including Adrian Peterson's then team record and NFL leading 1,760 yds in 2008. Or pets. The day trippers certainly will be missed back home considering they represent 6 percent of the farming communitys population. We are very proud of him.". Western North Dakota remains a special place to Jim Kleinsasser. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. Western North Dakota remains a special place to Jim Kleinsasser. "You've got the farms and the bars and the churches and the characters. Amidst his 13-year career with the Vikings, Kleinsasser has always done what many others fail to do by merely keeping his nose down and doing his job. Kleinsasser's first love was basketball, but football came naturally because he liked hitting people. There weren't many distractions in Carrington, a town of about 2,200. He played professionally for 13 years. "First game of the year, his senior season, we're playing one of the toughest teams in our state, and we send Jimmy down the seam," Hochhalter said. Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life, North Dakota Legislative Review 2023 | Sen. 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He's a product of nature and nurture, combining genetics that created a 6-foot-3, 275-pound man who ran sprints and played basketball in high school, and a work ethic inherited from parents who ran a farm without any outside help. He was born in 1977 in Carrington, and at 63? Then Vikings coach Denny Green traded three draft choices to the Steelers for the chance to take Jimmy with the 44th pick. Retiring on his terms, in the stadium where it all began, in front of friends and family, Kleinsasser would not have it any other way. Drafted by the only NFL team within a 10-hour drive of his home, he became the longest-tenured professional athlete in the Twin Cities despite choosing a sport defined by short careers and catastrophic injuries. Singer-songwriter, guitarist and musical pioneer Malina Moye performed the National Anthem prior to the Vikings-Colts game on Dec. 17. Here's to you Mr. Kleinsasser, from one of your longtime adoring fans.
