Francis Asbury Tarkenton, a celebrated American sports icon, entered the world on February 3, 1940, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey that would span nearly two decades. As a professional football player, Tarkenton's impressive 18-year career was characterized by his exceptional skill and dedication, with the majority of his playing time spent as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL).
Tarkenton's journey to professional football was preceded by a period of intense skill-honing as a collegiate athlete at the University of Georgia.
As a stalwart on the Bulldogs' football team, he distinguished himself as a twice first-team All-SEC selection, a testament to his remarkable prowess on the gridiron.
His outstanding performance during his collegiate years did not go unnoticed, as it caught the attention of the Vikings, who subsequently selected him in the third round of the 1961 NFL Draft.
As the curtain closed on his illustrious professional football career, Fran Tarkenton embarked on a bold new chapter, seamlessly segueing into the realm of media stardom and computer software entrepreneurship.
