What is it?

Milt Sunde was an American professional football player who spent his entire 11-year NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings as a guard. He played from 1964 to 1974, a period during which the Vikings became a dominant team, winning the NFL Championship in 1969 and appearing in three Super Bowls (IV, VIII, and IX). Sunde was known for his toughness, intelligence, and ability to overcome his relatively small size for an offensive lineman.

Sunde was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up in Bloomington. He attended Bloomington High School, where he played tackle on the football team and earned All-State honors. Despite weighing only 185 pounds in high school, he went on to play college football at the University of Minnesota, where he was a team captain and played alongside future Hall of Famers like Carl Eller and Bobby Bell.

Drafted in the 20th round of the 1964 NFL Draft, Sunde was not initially expected to make the team. However, through hard work and determination, he became a full-time starter by his second season. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1966, the only such honor of his career. Sunde was a versatile lineman who could play both guard and tackle, and he was particularly effective as a pulling guard on running plays.

Off the field, Sunde was known for his humanitarian work. He received the YMCA-Brian Picolo Award for Humanitarian Service in 1974 for his work with Walk for Mankind, a charity serving the poor in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. He also worked as a substitute teacher and pursued a master's degree in physical education while playing in the NFL.

Sunde retired after the 1974 season, turning down a chance to play for the New York Jets because he did not want to be remembered as a player who could not perform. He died in 2020 at the age of 78 after battling Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Key Facts

Full name: Milton John Sunde
Born: February 1, 1942, in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Died: April 21, 2020, at age 78
Position: Guard
NFL team: Minnesota Vikings (1964–1974)
College: University of Minnesota (1961–1963)
NFL Draft: 20th round, 271st overall in 1964
Pro Bowl selection: 1966
NFL Championship: 1969 (Vikings)
Super Bowl appearances: IV, VIII, IX
Height/Weight: 6'2", 233 lbs (playing weight)
High school: Bloomington High School, Minnesota

Full Explanation

Playing Style and Role

Milt Sunde was an undersized but tenacious offensive guard. At 6'2" and around 233 pounds, he was lighter than many of his peers, but he compensated with excellent technique, quickness, and a relentless work ethic. He was known as the Vikings' best pulling guard, meaning he would often pull out of the line to lead block for running backs. His downfield blocking was a key component of the Vikings' running game, which ranked among the NFL's best in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Sunde played both left and right guard during his career. He started at left guard from 1965 to 1967, then moved to right guard from 1968 to 1973. He played alongside future Hall of Famers like left tackle Grady Alderman, right tackle Ron Yary, and center Mick Tingelhoff. This offensive line was known for its cohesion and effectiveness, helping the Vikings reach three Super Bowls in six years.

Career Highlights

Sunde's best individual season came in 1966, when he started all 14 games at left guard and was named to the Pro Bowl. That year, the Vikings were fourth in the NFL in total yards, third in rushing, and seventh in passing. Sunde's blocking was a major factor in the team's offensive success.

In 1969, Sunde was a key part of the Vikings' championship run. He started at right guard and helped the team finish with a 12–2 record. In the divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunde faced future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Merlin Olsen and held his own. The Vikings won the NFL Championship by defeating the Cleveland Browns 27–7, but lost Super Bowl IV to the Kansas City Chiefs 23–7. Sunde was matched against future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Curley Culp in that game.

Sunde continued to start through 1972, but in 1973 he lost his starting job to John Ward. However, when Ward broke his ankle late in the season, Sunde stepped in and played so well that coach Bud Grant said his performance was as good as ever. Sunde started the final five games of the regular season and the NFC Championship Game, but a knee injury kept him out of Super Bowl VIII, which the Vikings lost to the Miami Dolphins.

Final Season and Retirement

In 1974, Sunde played in 11 games, starting three, as the Vikings again reached the Super Bowl. They lost Super Bowl IX to the Pittsburgh Steelers 16–6. Sunde did not start in that game. Before the 1975 season, the Vikings waived Sunde. He was claimed by the New York Jets but chose to retire, saying, "I didn't want to be remembered as the guy who couldn't do it."

History

Milt Sunde was born on February 1, 1942, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up in Bloomington. His father, George, was a Swedish immigrant who raised Sunde and his two brothers after their mother died when they were very young. The family lived above George's welding shop. Sunde attended Bloomington High School, where he played tackle on the football team. After an 0–8 season in 1958, the team went 8–0 in 1959, led by Sunde and running back Jerry Pelletier. Sunde earned All-State honors despite weighing only 185 pounds.

Sunde attended the University of Minnesota, where he played for coach Murray Warmath from 1961 to 1963. As a sophomore, the Golden Gophers went 8–2 and won the Rose Bowl. Sunde was a team captain as a senior. He played alongside future Hall of Famers Carl Eller and Bobby Bell. After college, Sunde played in the North-South all-star game.

The Minnesota Vikings selected Sunde in the 20th round of the 1964 NFL Draft, 271st overall. He was not expected to make the team due to his size, but he worked hard and increased his weight to 240 pounds by training camp. He began the season on special teams but earned a starting role by mid-season. By 1965, he was a full-time starter.

Sunde played under two Hall of Fame coaches: Norm Van Brocklin (1964–1966) and Bud Grant (1967–1974). Under Grant, the Vikings became a perennial contender. Sunde was part of the Vikings' first NFL Championship in 1969 and their three Super Bowl appearances in the 1970s. He retired after the 1974 season, having played his entire career with the Vikings.

After football, Sunde worked as a substitute teacher and operated a fitness and training business. He was also active in charity work, chairing the Walk for Mankind and receiving the YMCA-Brian Picolo Award for Humanitarian Service in 1974. He died on April 21, 2020, at age 78, after battling Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Why it matters

Milt Sunde's career is a testament to the power of determination and hard work. Despite being undersized and a late-round draft pick, he became a Pro Bowl player and a key contributor to one of the NFL's most successful teams of the era. His story inspires athletes who may be overlooked due to physical limitations.

Sunde was also a model of consistency and loyalty, spending his entire 11-year career with one team. He was a vital part of the Vikings' offensive line that helped the team reach three Super Bowls in six years. His ability to perform at a high level against some of the greatest defensive linemen in NFL history, such as Merlin Olsen and Curley Culp, underscores his skill and toughness.

Off the field, Sunde's humanitarian work and his role as a substitute teacher and mentor demonstrate his commitment to community and education. He was a leader both on and off the field, and his legacy continues to be remembered by Vikings fans and the Bloomington community.