And it takes some luck just to stick around in this league. There weren't many distractions in Carrington, a town of about 2,200. He played in his first NFL game, and started his second. Next Sunday, Jimmy Kleinsasser will line up against the Bears and throw a few more blocks before ending a career that has unfolded like every little league parent's daydream. Jim Kleinsasser's life path number is 11. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. ", Jimmy would get angry at his father, too, during games of H-O-R-S-E. "He'd cheat," Carter said. He signed with North Dakota, and his parents suggest that he did so because his sister, Sheri, was a basketball star there. The past 13 years, Carter and Kathe Kleinsasser have made the six-hour drive to the Metrodome for Vikings games that didn't coincide with blizzards or harvests. In football, he played all over the field in high school and excelled as a tight end in college, leading to a pro career in which he has played fullback, tight end and H-back, proving remarkably adept at drive-blocking on running plays and protecting on pass plays. 1/28/2004: This Saturday will be Jim Kleinsasser's 27th birthday. Then Vikings coach Denny Green traded three draft choices to the Steelers for the chance to take. Kleinsasser played sports, went to school, worked on the farm, did a little fishing and otherwise followed Sheri around. North Dakota lawmakers adjourn after approving record $19.6B budget, U of M graduate student workers win vote to unionize, Red Flag Warning issued for northwest and west-central Minnesota, With return in motion, UND's Ihenacho says 'I shouldn't have left in the first place'. "You see that long run by Adrian Peterson last week?" He played college football at North Dakota and played for the Vikings his entire career since being drafted in 1999. Jim Kleinsasser expects a raucous cheering section in the Metrodomes north end zone Sunday for the final game of his unlikely 13-year career with the Vikings. "We'd hang out by our lockers in the morning and in the equipment room during lunch, the non-nonsense, no-glamour guys," Birk said. "Kid," Theismann told him, "I cried, too. Even having not made any Pro Bowls or All-Pro teams, he should be in the Ring of Honor. A lot of the guys that have retired say to take your time before you jump into anything. Wild star Kirill Kaprizov sounded the Gjallarhorn prior to the Vikings-Giants game on Dec. 24. "I was always 'Sheri's little brother' in Carrington," Kleinsasser said. He's proved tough enough to last, versatile enough to adapt, talented enough to engender loyalty, affordable enough to fit into every budget, and diligent and likeable enough to endear himself to a disparate mix of bosses. Jim Kleinsasser has not been elected into the Hall of Fame. Ive had a lot of good times here, great teammates, great coaches. He just kicked into another gear and put up that big hand and made one heck of a catch, scored, and we won 6-0. CARRINGTON, N.D. They've tilled fields all their adult lives, Carter atop his Wil-Rich Field Cultivator, Jimmy wearing size 17 Nike Superbad cleats. I'll leave it at that. We'd sit there and drink a cup of coffee and talk about football, ice fishing, our kids, whatever. Jim Kleinsasser is a Aquarius and his 47th birthday is in, The 46-year-old American was born in the Generation X and the Year of the Serpent. ", Noon at FedEx Field TV: Ch. I guess that was his early lesson in humility.". Sunday's Hometown Heroes were 10-year-old Jordan, a survivor of the Robb Elementary School shooting in May who helped pull a classmate to safety, and his mother Virginia, an EMT who was among first responders. Jimmy C. Kleinsasser is part of the Baby boomers generation. We stopped playing when I was in the seventh or eighth grade, because it just got too physical. He started his career with Minnesota as a fullback before becoming one of the league's top blocking tight ends. He remained with the team for more than a decade, playing from 1999 until 2011. Our big vacation of the year was coming out, driving through Dickinson and going to the Belfield-Medora area to my grandma and grandpas, and spending a couple weeks there. Long snapper Cullen Loeffler has played for the Vikings since 2004. Jimmy Kleinsasser attended Carrington High School in Carrington, North Dakota and was a letterman and a standout in football, basketball, and track & field. [1][2] In 1998, Kleinsasser had 45 receptions for 710 yards and 86 rushing yards.[2]. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. "I drove down the main street just to embarrass him," Carter said. On a December morning, their homestead is an oasis of heat and color on a desolate and windblown landscape. Jim Kleinsasser's age is 46. "What I personally remember about Jimmy, and miss, is that we were always two of the earlier guys to show up in the locker room. (Pioneer Press: Sherri LaRose-Chiglo), Fans of Jim Kleinsasser cheer for him in the end zone during the pregame prior to the start of the Minnesota Vikings game against the Chicago Bears at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Teammates are using his swan song as a rallying cry to finish 4-12 and avoid matching the 1984 Vikings for the worst 16-game record in franchise history. "I thought for sure the ball was overthrown. I feel at home here. He is a member of famous with the age 46 years old group. Jimmys been a beast his entire career. Only four active NFL players have been with one team longer than Kleinsasser in Minnesota. "We joke that he's the 'Missing Link,' because he'll get hurt and a couple of days later he's 100 percent again," Hutchinson said. Even your seasons of the year go by your football schedule. Most important, though, he leaves the game relatively healthy and with financial security to enjoy with his wife, Christa, and sons, Carter and Cayden. Jim Kleinsasser's birthstone is Garnet. When he was still in diapers, Kleinsasser had trouble breathing, so Carter and Kathe took him to the hospital. He's unselfish and I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that he's one of the last few of his kind, the last of the true Vikings. On Sunday, Kleinsasser will suit up one last time in purple. In fact, he's only got one catch this season. 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His position is almost as un-sexy as offensive lineman, but he's such a key to not only your running game but your whole offense. He's a tremendous example for any young player.". As a senior, he was the MVP of the state basketball tournament when Carrington won the state title. Kleinsasser's number doesn't get called very often. While playing for Carrington High, Kleinsasser was twice named All-Region, All-State and Gatorade Circle of Champions North Dakota Player of the Year. Weekend nights, teenagers would cruise the main drag. In football, he was a two time All-Region honoree and All-State honoree, and was twice named the Gatorade Circle of Champions North Dakota Player of the Year. I think theres something to be said for keeping a little bit for the rest of your life. Carter remembers another. A long-time fan favorite in Minnesota, Kleinsasser had his opportunities to go elsewhere . 1 priority in free agency was re-signing Jimmy Kleinsasser, Tice said. He doesn't eat cereal. He ranked 2nd in team history for starts made by a TE with 119, and ranked 4th in catches by a TE in Vikings history. How tall is Jim Kleinsasser? Kleinsasser announced his retirement following the 2011 season. Theyve been my everything.. Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. In track, he has the N.D. Class B State T&F Meet records for shot put (62ft, 2 in) and discus throw (183ft, 11 in). He was born in 1977 in Carrington, and at 63? (Pioneer Press: Sherri LaRose-Chiglo). Whos the richest Football Player in the world. Kleinsasser's staying power is the result of rare circumstances. Former Vikings RB Adrian Peterson was Tatum Everett's 'TCO Legends Connection' during Sunday's game against the Giants. Between 300 to 400 people showed up at Dickinsons Menards for grand opening week to get an autograph from Kleinsasser. Kleinsasser played sports, went to school, worked on the farm, did a little fishing and otherwise followed Sheri around. North Dakota was a Division II school at the time. He may be called "Purple Jesus," but he sure still needs blockers to help him part defenders. "The Vikings are smart enough to realize that a guy that like, who is so dependable and is still a dominating blocker on the outside, is someone you've got to hold on to," Birk said. A husband's dread during an abortion ordeal in Oklahoma, JPMorgan Chase buys troubled First Republic Bank after U.S. government takeover. Amidst his 13-year career with the Vikings, Kleinsasser has always done what many others fail to do by merely keeping his nose down and doing his job. [3][4][5] He demonstrated remarkable durability throughout his career, playing in all 16 games up to 2010, except for missing 15 games because of an knee injury in 2004. He's a product of nature and nurture, combining genetics that created a 6-foot-3, 275-pound man who ran sprints and played basketball in high school, and a work ethic inherited from parents who ran a farm without any outside help. Jim Kleinsassers mothers name is unknown at this time and his fathers name is under review. When Jimmy was in middle school, Carter fired up the obsolete machine that produced square bales, just to show the kids how farm work was done before modern machines did the hoisting. "We'd hang out by our lockers in the morning and in the equipment room during lunch, the non-nonsense, no-glamour guys," Birk said. [fetch instagram= display=posts show=2 ]. Get the latest news, stats, videos, highlights and more about tight end Jimmy Kleinsasser on ESPN. "I was always 'Sheri's little brother' in Carrington," Kleinsasser said. We would advise you to tell your son that if he's going to continue to dunk the basketball, he should do so very carefully.". Jimmy grew the most underappreciated career in Minnesota sports. Diet culture can hurts kids. "We said, 'Cereal? Ive been blessed with the opportunity to spend some big amount of time with them, which has been a huge help in the transition. "He's still very considerate, still very much himself. How much did Jim Kleinsasser weigh when playing? Its been a blast. At 46 years old, Jim Kleinsasser height Jimmy C. Kleinsasser attended North Dakota. "No farming, and no football.". Though he hasn't ever been an impact player, he's always been one of the most reliableperhaps the most reliableguys in his locker room. People born on a Monday tend to be a bit sensitive and emotional. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 31 January. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. "I gotta get to town," Jimmy said. Zodiac Sign: Jim Kleinsasser is a Aquarius. It's hard to know Jim Kleinsasser birth time, but we do know his mother gave birth to his on a Monday. Carter and Kathe are sitting at their kitchen table. He's six weeks old.' He was longtime teammates with star wide receiver Randy Moss as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. Kleinsasser retired at the end of the 2011 NFL season after 13 seasons with the Vikings.[7]. The Minnesota Vikings drafted him with the 44th overall pick during the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. "I've been so lucky," Kleinsasser said, as he ate cheese cubes at his wife's recent event in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Im sure Ill get emotional on the field sometime, but I want to come into the game and play it like any other game. He's not what you'd call an impact player. He was a basketball player at Carrington High School. I think a lot of guys get caught up in themselves and don't really realize it. Jim Kleinsasser was born on 31 January, 1977 in Carrington, North Dakota, United States. The Kleinsassers expected Jimmy to be drafted in the second or third round by the New York Giants. Or pets. "I gotta get to town," Jimmy said. When Jimmy broke the other non-breakaway backboard, Carter repeated the process, and later received a letter that read something like this: "Note that Mutual Insurance has paid Carrington High School $1,000 in the last three months for two backboards that your son broke while dunking the basketball. In high school, Kleinsasser often had to wear his basketball shoes during track season, and when the Vikings drafted him, they didn't have any cleats large enough for him to wear. As a senior, he was the MVP of the state basketball tournament when Carrington won the state title. Sheri was his idol. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. It would be downright wrong, in my opinion, if he didn't make it and make it someday soon. "He has been lifting weights as long as I can remember.". We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below. Jim Kleinsassers age is 46. Kleinsasser, a six-foot-three, 272-pound tight end, was twice selected to the All-Joe team put together by the "USA Today" in 2007 and again in 2008. Next Sunday, Jimmy Kleinsasser -- the former UND standout -- will line up against the Bears and throw a few more blocks before ending a career that has unfolded like every little league parent's . He speaks highly of his mom and dad and about doing right by them, Hochhalter said. "It's going to be quite an offseason," Carter said. I know, because I'm watching him.". Carter, the Kleinsasser patriarch, has just retired from running the family farm outside Carrington, N.D. Jimmy, his son, plans to retire from the NFL after two more games, having broken the team record for most games played by a Vikings tight end, lasting much longer than his parents expected and five years longer than even he had hoped. Part of the emotions going to be just leaving the team atmosphere, Kleinsasser said. It feels good coming from him." Kleinsasser also rushed for close to 150 total yards and one touchdown, with a 3.4 average rushing yards per attempt career mark. My family comes to all the home games. Kleinsasser adapted to a new vocation as a blocking tight end, fending off the linebackers on the edge and colliding with defensive ends in pass protection. I've got college friends who are here, who provided an instant support system. He came across as an everyman, the hometown boy made good that . "There aren't enough guys like that in the NFL these days.". He's a product of nature and nurture, combining genetics that created 6-3, 275-pound man who ran sprints and played basketball in high school and a work ethic inherited from parents who ran a farm without any outside help. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us. In track, he has the N.D. Class B State T&F Meet records for shot put (62ft, 2 in) and discus throw (183ft, 11 in). The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. "If I had gone anywhere else, how many years would I have lasted? When he was little, he'd run into the yard and lay a hit on the family dog that would get him fined by the NFL today. By NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell surprised young Vikings fan Charlie Huizinga with a pair of tickets to the Super Bowl during Sunday's game against the Giants. They have imagination and don't like planning things in advance. Former Vikings WR Sammy White was Tatum Everett's 'TCO Legends Connection' during the Dec. 17 game against the Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium. Of the players who were on the Vikings' roster for that game, only he and Birk, his friend who left the Vikings to sign with the Baltimore Ravens, are still in the NFL. We'd sit there and drink a cup of coffee and talk about football, ice fishing, our kids, whatever. Kleinsasser shakes his head when asked to put his career in perspective. Its always nice to come back here and see some of the same, old faces.. I guess that was his early lesson in humility.". Discover Jim Kleinsasser's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. After a standout career at the University of North Dakota, Kleinsasser was drafted by the Vikings in the second round of the 1999 draft. He can block at the point, he can pass protect, he can catch, he can run after the catch., Kleinsasser credited growing up in North Dakota for the skills and values needed to be successful in life saying, Dont ever take for granted growing up in this great state, because the opportunities are available to you if you want to succeed. I remember talking to his agent that year and saying our No. We would advise you to tell your son that if he's going to continue to dunk the basketball, he should do so very carefully.". "It's going to be quite an offseason," Carter said. "I have to lift weights.". The Kleinsassers moved here in 1974, to acquire more farmland, and planted a long row of evergreens for beauty and protection from the high winds, and a couple of ash trees for shade. The house is small, warm and modest. 9. Submit a correction suggestion and help us fix it. In football, he was a two time All-Region honoree and All-State honoree, and was twice named the Gatorade Circle of Champions North Dakota Player of the Year. Marty Hochhalter hears Harvins uncomplicated statement and says that sounds about right. Western North Dakota remains a special place to Jim Kleinsasser. This page is updated often with latest details about Jim Kleinsasser. ), 'Smiley-face killer' theorist accused of St. Paul sex assault at time of Zamlen search, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. '", Years later, Jimmy ran into Theismann at a golf tournament and told him he cried the day Theismann's leg was broken in one of the more grotesque moments in NFL history. Prairie Public Broadcasting provides quality radio, television, and public media services that educate, involve, and inspire the people of the prairie region. "We'd bounce the ball two or three times, and we'd be in a fight. He would ride in the family trucks when his parents were working, and his mother figured out how to keep him happy. I try to adapt to whatever it takes to get the job done, or as good as I can get it done.". Jim Souhan "You've got the farms and the bars and the churches and the characters. Listen to Full Show. Thursday's Hometown Hero was Trish Thacker, the Executive Director of The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center in Minneapolis. Carter folded his thick arms, leaned back and stared across the endless prairie. So, how much is Jim Kleinsasser worth at the age of 46 years old? Sunday's U.S. Bank Hometown Hero was World War II veteran Robert Holmstrom, a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal. "He always wanted to play with me and my friends," Sheri said. Hochhalter and Kleinsasser have become close friends, and Kleinsasser returns to Carrington in the summer to help with Hochhalter's football camps. Vikings head coach Mike Tice said, If people look at the true requirements of the position, then I think they would agree that Jimmy is the best all-around tight end in the league.. "He's still very considerate, still very much himself. 2023 Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC , All Rights Reserved. "That poor animal," Kathe said. 6835 Cardinal Cove Dr, Mound, MN 55364 (also listed as being in Minnetrista) Jim Carter Kleinsasser is an American Football player who currently plays fullback, H-back, and tight end for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League; he's played for the Vikings since 1999 after the team took him in the second round of the NFL Draft. We see that you have javascript disabled. He also played in the North Dakota Shrine game and the Montana-North Dakota All-Star game. "You see big, strong, tough guys who can't make it more than a couple of years in this league. In the movie 50 First Dates, Kleinsasser is mentioned by Sean Astin's character briefly before Kleinsasser scores a touchdown on the TV. He was fine with that. They'll make one more. In football, he played all over the field in high school and excelled as a tight end in college, leading to a pro career in which he has played fullback, tight end and H-back, proving remarkably adept at drive-blocking on running plays and protecting on pass plays. "Once I had a license, Jimmy would want to come with us. Before he became an iron man, Kleinsasser was a farm boy. We knew how good he was.". We see that you have javascript disabled. Former Vikings LB Ed McDaniel was Tatum Everett's 'TCO Legends Connection' during the Nov. 24 game against the Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium. "The other teachers were telling Jimmy's teacher that playing football wasn't a job, that he needed to correct Jimmy," Sheri said. He demonstrated remarkable durability throughout his career, playing in all 16 games up to 2010, except for missing 15 games because of an knee injury in 2004. Menards is bringing in former UND hockey player Dave Christian on Wednesday and former Minnesota Twins third baseman Gary Gaetti on Thursday. Hochhalter and Kleinsasser have become close friends, and Kleinsasser returns to Carrington in the summer to help with Hochhalter's football camps. Kleinsasser retired after the 2011 season and said it has been different not suiting up on Sunday. The nurse looked at us and said, 'We thought he was six months old.'". Things that are important. Somebody like Jim, who recently retired, you could tell a lot of people were excited to see him.. JUMP TO: Jim Kleinsassers biography, facts, family, personal life, zodiac, videos, net worth, and popularity. "He's one of the last of a dying breed. Once they took him to the shoe store, and the salesman asked why Jimmy wasn't in school. Many people would simply overlook the fact that Peterson hasn't done all of this by himself. "It was Jimmy's block that sealed the hole. When Jimmy broke the other non-breakaway backboard, Carter repeated the process, and later received a letter that read something like this: "Note that Mutual Insurance has paid Carrington High School $1,000 in the last three months for two backboards that your son broke while dunking the basketball. He is popular for being a Football Player. Jimmy grew the most underappreciated career in Minnesota sports. Then Vikings coach Denny Green traded three draft choices to the Steelers for the chance to take Jimmy with the 44th pick. You have to know exactly what it is you are comfortable with doing. He was always a good eater.". He has also spent time fishing and being outdoors. Its 8 oclock in the morning and you feel you should be at the stadium right now. "Jimmy probably feels the same way. The Kleinsassers moved here in 1974, to acquire more farmland, and planted a long row of evergreens for beauty and protection from the high winds, and a couple of ash trees for shade. Kleinsasser was as tough on basketball backboards as he was on linebackers. One day Kleinsasser brought home a box holding large shards of plastic, then Carter got a call from the Carrington High principal. Jim Kleinsasser's House in Mound, MN (Google Maps) Mound, Minnesota (MN), US Like Tweet Share Pin The professional football player lives here. The former Minnesota Vikings tight end/fullback remembers traveling to his grandparents' house between the Belfield-Medora area. We knew how good he was.". Brian Murphy has been on the Pioneer Press sports staff since 2000, migrating from the Detroit Free Press, where he covered police, courts and sports for four years. Author Stephen Crane said, This is part 3 of the story of Cavalier County States Attorney Gudmundur Grimson, who in 1922 prosecuted a case involving a Munich, North Dakota boy who, Yesterday, we began a 3-part story on Gudmundur Grimson, the attorney for a farm family whose son died in a forced-labor camp in Florida.In 1921, young, Prairie Public Broadcasting | When he was little, he'd run into the yard and lay a hit on the family dog that would get him fined by the NFL today. "Carrington has to be one of the greatest places you could grow up," Kleinsasser said.

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