Jimmy Kleinsasser, the Hard-Nosed Pride of Carrington, North Dakota, and Longtime Minnesota Vikings Legend Who Was Drafted in the Second Round in 1999 and Spent His Entire Career in Purple as a Tough-as-Nails Tight End and H-Back, Blazing Trails for Seven of the Vikings’ Top Eight Single-Season Rushing Records, Including Adrian Peterson’s NFL-Best 1,760 Yards in 2008, While Also Hauling in 192 Receptions for 1,688 Yards and Six Touchdowns Across 181 Games, Cementing His Place Among the Franchise’s Greatest Tight Ends and Earning Back-to-Back Selections to USA Today’s Coveted All-Joe Team in 2007 and 2008 for His Unselfish and Underrated Excellence That Coaches and Teammates Revered
Jimmy Kleinsasser, one of the most beloved and respected players in Minnesota Vikings history, built a career that perfectly embodied hard work, toughness, and loyalty. Hailing from Carrington, North Dakota, Kleinsasser was selected by the Vikings in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft, and he spent the next 13 seasons becoming a blue-collar icon for the franchise.
Lining up at tight end and H-back, Kleinsasser was a critical piece of Minnesota’s offensive engine, known far more for his ferocious blocking and team-first attitude than flashy statistics. He became a vital cog in the Vikings’ rushing attack, bulldozing defenders and helping pave the way for seven of the team’s top eight single-season rushing totals, highlighted by Adrian Peterson’s breathtaking 1,760-yard performance in 2008, which led the NFL that year.
Despite his primary role as a blocker, Kleinsasser proved reliable as a pass catcher as well. Over his 181-game career, he totaled 192 receptions for 1,688 yards and six touchdowns, demonstrating steady hands and dependable play when called upon. His 181 games played rank among the most by a tight end in Vikings history, speaking to his incredible durability and toughness.
Kleinsasser’s work often went under the radar nationally, but those inside the league recognized his value. He was named to USA Today’s prestigious All-Joe Team in 2007 and 2008 — an honor reserved for players who excel without the glamour or widespread attention typically given to superstars. Coaches, teammates, and true students of the game revered Kleinsasser’s ability to consistently do the dirty work that fueled Minnesota’s offense.
In an era increasingly obsessed with highlight-reel plays, Jimmy Kleinsasser was a throwback — a player whose career was defined by grit, team spirit, and unwavering excellence. Even after his retirement following the 2011 season, he remains a symbol of what it means to be a Viking: tough, reliable, and proud.
