Rashad destined for Vikings Ring of Honor

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 7/02/2008

 

 LOS ANGELES — Long before Randy Moss and Cris Carter were catching passes as Vikings receivers and the Vikings drafted record-setting running back Adrian Peterson and gave him jersey number 28, it was worn with great distinction by star wide receiver Ahmad Rashad. Yes, that’s the same Emmy Award-winning Ahmad Rashad who is the most visible and nationally known NBA TV sportscaster, host, and executive producer of the ABC show NBA Access with Ahmad Rashad.

 Back in the day when I first started my career covering sports in Minnesota, I remember some of the things that Rashad and Greg Coleman did for me. Four times in consecutive years, from 1978 to 1981, Rashad was selected to the Pro Bowl as a Viking. He played his entire Vikings career for Hall of Fame Head Coach Bud Grant from 1976 to 1982 before a back injury shortened his brilliant career.

Rashad played the game with flair, grabbing 400 passes for 5,489 yards and 34 touchdowns. He is sixth on the Vikings all-time career list for receptions.

 Rashad started his broadcast career in Minnesota working at WCCO-TV with Mark Rosen. His network career started in 1983 with NBC Sports, and for 16 years Rashad was executive producer of the Emmy-nominated show NBA Inside Stuff. He has covered the NFL and the Olympics; he is smooth in front of the camera and an excellent writer.

 He graduated from the University of Oregon, where he was a two-time All-American, and in 1995 he received the highest honor given to an alumnus, the university’s Pioneer Award. In 2007, Rashad was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He holds an honorary degree of Doctor of Journalism from the University of Puget Sound.

 During the NBA Finals won by Boston four games to two over Los Angeles, I caught up with Rashad, who for 20-plus years has been one of the best at what he does. “I think it’s important to always have a plan,” said Rashad, “and I think I learned that from Bud Grant, that you always have to have a plan for what you’re going to do. That way, you can start working on that plan.

 “My hold plan was to get involved in television. I started working in television m y last five years playing at Minnesota so that there would not be much of a transition.

 “So,” he continued, “my whole game plan was to be in it for the long run, not just three or four years and they get another person. When I started I did all sports, and as it worked out, I’ve been very fortunate and blessed to do a lot of Olympics, Super Bowls, almost every event that you can possibly imagine. So, it’s been a wonderful run.”

 Rashad was selected to the Vikings All-Time 25th Anniversary team, and most recently, the 40th Anniversary team. It’s clear that the next logical thing is that the Vikings induct Rashad into the team’s Ring of Honor where he belongs.

 The Ring of Honor recognizes Vikings legends for their contributions to the success of the team on and off field. Rashad is also author of the bestselling book Rashad — Vikes, Mikes, and Something on the Backside.

 Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, and biweekly he commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). He welcomes reader responses to lfitzgerald@spokesman-recorder.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.