EAGAN, Minn. — Paul Flatley, who shone as the 1963 NFL rookie of the year with the Minnesota Vikings, has passed away at the age of 84. The Vikings reported his death on Sunday, although further specifics were not disclosed. Flatley made a name for himself in the NFL by transitioning from his college position as halfback at Northwestern to become a flanker.
Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round as the 44th overall pick in 1963, Flatley joined the team during its early beginnings in the league. In his debut season, Flatley made an immediate impact by starting in all 14 games. He concluded the year with impressive statistics, recording 51 catches for 867 yards and four touchdowns. His performance ranked him eighth in the league for receiving yards, a remarkable feat that made him the sole rookie among the top 10 at that time. This outstanding debut earned him the rookie of the year accolade.
In retrospect, Flatley credited his early career success to his head coach, Norm Van Brocklin. “He had been an all-star quarterback and knew the passing game very well,” Flatley reflected in 2020, noting the opportunity to work with quarterback Fran Tarkenton as equally pivotal. Tarkenton’s dynamic playing style enabled Flatley to adapt and refine several routes to successfully receive passes. “I learned the game because of those two people, and I was very fortunate to be a Minnesota Viking,” he recounted.
Throughout his five-season tenure with the Vikings, Flatley proved to be a consistent contributor, amassing 202 catches for 3,222 yards and 17 touchdowns in 64 games. Following his NFL career, he remained involved in the sport, serving as a color commentator for University of Minnesota football broadcasts for several years, sharing his insights and passion for the game with fans and listeners.
