Grady Alderman obit

Grady Alderman passes away

He was not on the list.


Sad news from the Minnesota Vikings today, as one of the original cornerstones of the team is no longer with us.

The team has announced that Grady Alderman, who was one of the players selected by the Vikings in the 1961 NFL Expansion Draft, has passed away at the age of 79.

Alderman played his first season in the NFL with the Detroit Lions in 1960. After one season, the Lions made him available for selection in the Expansion Draft, and the Vikings scooped him up. Alderman went on to play fourteen seasons with the Vikings, starting nearly every game at left tackle from 1961 to 1973. He was a reserve in 1974, after which he announced his retirement.

Alderman went on to be an NFL executive after his playing career finished, and spent a couple of seasons as the General Manager of the Denver Broncos. After that, he went on to a career as an accountant.

As a member of the Vikings, Alderman was voted to the Pro Bowl six times, including five straight seasons from 1963 to 1967. He was a first-team All-Pro in 1969, and a second-team All-Pro in 1965. He was also named one of the 50 Greatest Vikings of All Time during the team’s 50th anniversary season.

We here at The Daily Norseman want to send our condolences to the family of Grady Alderman in light of his passing.