Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Ron Vander Kelen has died. He was 76 years old.
Vander Kelen was drafted by the New York Jets in the AFL out of Wisconsin. Instead of going to the Jets, he opted to sign with the Vikings as a free agent.
Vander Kelen played five seasons — largely backing up Fran Tarkenton — and threw for six touchdowns, starting five games.
He led the Vikings to a 34-13 win over Philadelphia when Tarkenton was out with an injury and became the first Minnesota quarterback to to win his first start as a rookie. The Vikings, in a statement announcing Vander Kelen’s death, say the team has passed along its condolences to Vander Kelen’s family.
