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NFL Greatest Unsung Heroes In History of All 32 Teams

By Erik Lambert

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 8: Joe Jurevicius #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while pursued by Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 34-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 8: Joe Jurevicius #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while pursued by Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 34-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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10 Jan 1999: Leroy Hoard #44 of the Minnesota Vikings in action during the NFC Play Offs Game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 41-21.
10 Jan 1999: Leroy Hoard #44 of the Minnesota Vikings in action during the NFC Play Offs Game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 41-21. /

Minnesota Vikings

60. . RB. Minnesota Vikings. Leroy Hoard . 20. player

Who’s going to remember a 30-year old backup running back on what was arguably the greatest offense in NFL history? I mean, come odd. Randall Cunningham, Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Robert Smith and Randall McDaniel. Just so many stars that it’s virtually impossible to recall a guy like Leroy Hoard without having to be reminded first.

It’s not entirely hard to understand. He’d spent most of his career with the Cleveland Browns in the 1990s, going to a Pro Bowl in ’94 but departing the team after it left town for Baltimore. After bouncing around the league for a bit, he became a rotational back for the Vikings in 1997. A year later he had a front-row seat for the clinic his teammates would put on.

Except those teammates were the ones driving things forward in the playoff opener against Arizona. It was Hoard. He scored the first touchdown of the game, scored with 32 seconds left in the first half and then scored to put the game out of reach in the 4th quarter. Those three touchdowns proved the difference and sent Minnesota to the NFC championship.

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