1 priority in free agency was re-signing Jimmy Kleinsasser, Tice said. Baby Boomer is the result of the end of World War II, when birth rates across the world spiked. ", When Sheri got her license, she'd drive into Carrington daily to shoot hoops or lift weights. He came across as an everyman, the hometown boy made good that . Jim Kleinsasser's life path number is 11. Most important, though, he leaves the game relatively healthy and with financial security to enjoy with his wife, Christa, and sons, Carter and Cayden. Part of the emotions going to be just leaving the team atmosphere, Kleinsasser said. 8. He's six weeks old.' Thursday's Hometown Hero was Trish Thacker, the Executive Director of The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center in Minneapolis. ", Jimmy would get angry at his father, too, during games of H-O-R-S-E. "He'd cheat," Carter said. Week%2016%20-%20NYG%20-%20Legends%20Connection%20-%20Ben%20Leber.mp4. Jim Kleinsasser: Big as the prairie - Star Tribune "He has been lifting weights as long as I can remember.". In third grade, on career day, Kleinsasser wore his Joe Theismann Redskins jersey to class. He played in his first NFL game, and started his second. Kleinsasser, who has no immediate plans, is a living time capsule in a Vikings locker room that has been turned over as much as the field crops on his family farm. ", When Sheri got her license, she'd drive into Carrington daily to shoot hoops or lift weights. He lasted 13 seasons, almost 10 years longer than the span of the average NFL career. I remember talking to his agent that year and saying our No. "That poor animal," Kathe said. There is nothing, outside of your own misdeeds, you have to worry about.". North Dakota has a strong educational system, good work ethics, and positive core values., PublishedJanuary 28, 2021 at 1:08 AM CST. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier vowed to send off Kleinsasser with a touchdown, which the blocking specialist has not scored in four years. 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 has also spent time fishing and being outdoors. For right now, he plans to continue spending quality time with his family. The 34-year-old veteran has given his body and 13 years of his life to the great fans of the Minnesota Vikings. Since retiring, Kleinsasser has spent time with his wife and two sons, who are 6 and 4 years old. The Kleinsassers expected Jimmy to be drafted in the second or third round by the New York Giants. So here's to one of the greatest unsung heroes to ever wear a Vikings uniform. Eventually, after switching to tight end, Kleinsasser became one of the most versatile blockers on the team. He was part of three division championships, lost two NFC championship games, saw the Love Boat scandal engulf the organization in 2005, watched Brett Favre spin magic in 2009 and endured the misery of the past two seasons. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 46 years old? On a December morning, their homestead is an oasis of heat and color on a desolate and wind-blown landscape. One day Kleinsasser brought home a box holding large shards of plastic, then Carter got a call from the Carrington High principal. I've got college friends who are here, who provided an instant support system. Former NFL fullback and tight end who played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1999 to 2011. Jim Kleinsasser's house - Minnetrista, Minnesota - Wikimapia Once again, Jimmy dived for cover. 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. Here's to you Mr. Kleinsasser, from one of your longtime adoring fans. We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below. They're flexible and good at improvising. He may be called "Purple Jesus," but he sure still needs blockers to help him part defenders. After tossing 80-pound bales around all day, Jimmy asked the time. He finished his pro playing career with 192 receptions for 1,688 receiving yards and six touchdowns. You know that he's going to come to work prepared, ready to do his job. "If I had gone anywhere else, how many years would I have lasted? A Vikings team picture stands on an easel near the front door, and the walls are filled with likenesses of roosters. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 31 January. A husband's dread during an abortion ordeal in Oklahoma, JPMorgan Chase buys troubled First Republic Bank after U.S. government takeover. Hes the kind of guy you win with and the kind of kid you want on your football team., Said Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin: Oh, man, I love Jimmy. Jim Kleinsasser was born in 1970s. Retiring on his terms, in the stadium where it all began, in front of friends and family, Kleinsasser would not have it any other way. We stopped playing when I was in the seventh or eighth grade, because it just got too physical. Kleinsasser: A true Viking - Grand Forks Herald Long snapper Cullen Loeffler has played for the Vikings since 2004. Kleinsasser looks back on 13 years in NFL - buccaneers.com After a 13-year career, all of them spent in a Vikings uniform, Kleinsasser will retire. They have imagination and don't like planning things in advance. So, how much is Jim Kleinsasser worth at the age of 46 years old? 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. "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. He played college football at North Dakota and played for the Vikings his entire career since being drafted in 1999. "I gotta get to town," Jimmy said. Hes a great role model. Ive got nothing but great memories to look back on.. He doesn't eat cereal. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. I let him, as long as he would lay down in the backseat. Kleinsasser retired after the 2011 season and said it has been different not suiting up on Sunday. They are associated with a rejection of traditional values. ), 'Smiley-face killer' theorist accused of St. Paul sex assault at time of Zamlen search, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Ive had such a great time with the kids and the family at home. "You've got the farms and the bars and the churches and the characters. 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. [1][2] In 1998, Kleinsasser had 45 receptions for 710 yards and 86 rushing yards.[2]. He played in his first NFL game, and started his second. the outer planets, Neptune and Pluto, were not yet discovered, since the telescope had not yet been invented. "Kid," Theismann told him, "I cried, too. Once they took him to the shoe store, and the salesman asked why Jimmy wasn't in school. I know, because I'm watching him.". 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. Even having not made any Pro Bowls or All-Pro teams, he should be in the Ring of Honor. 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. Jim Kleinsasser (Football, 1995-99): A two-time NCAA Division II All-America tight end (1997, 1998) A three-time All-NCC First Team selection Helped UND to a four-year record of 32-10 and two appearances in the NCAA DII playoffs during his collegiate career Member of UND's 1995 NCC championship team 1999 Senior Bowl starter There weren't many distractions in Carrington, a town of about 2,200. "I drove down the main street just to embarrass him," Carter said. My agent probably wanted to strangle me for it at times, but theres something to be said for sticking with one organization, he said. "He'd want one soon as he got into the truck, and then he'd get hungry later. Thats kind of how your clock works. Jimmy Kleinsasser attended Carrington High School in Carrington, North Dakota and was a letterman and a standout in football, basketball, and track & field. Jimmy Carter Kleinsasser (/ k l a n s s r / ; born January 31, 1977) is a former American Football player who played fullback, H-back, and tight end for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He played college football at North Dakota and played for the Vikings his entire career since being drafted in 1999. "I may not know what to do with myself," he said. By Like I already said, Kleinsasser has always put his team above all else. Kleinsasser, who grew up on a farm in Carrington, N.D., said he's now a "full-time dad," and "probably the worst 5, 6, 7-year-old soccer coach in history, but I did it with enthusiasm." He said. 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. is 1.91m . Jim Kleinsasser weighed 272 lbs (123 kg) when playing. 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. So are the hometown heros speeches during the coachs annual summer football camp. Western North Dakota sentimental area for former Minnesota Viking Leaving that locker room for the last time is probably going to be tough, though.. How tall is Jim Kleinsasser? In fact, he's only got one catch this season. "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. Jim Kleinsasser's age is 46. They'd leave their parents' cute, modest home to play one-on-one on the basket near the Quonset hut out back, and return shortly, red-faced. He also played in the North Dakota Shrine game and the Montana-North Dakota All-Star game. He won the USA Today All-Joe Team award for under-appreciated players two consecutive years in 2007 and 2008. Carter remembers another. "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. The celebrity, tv-personality & actor is dating Todd Spiewak, his starsign is Aries and he is now 49 years of age. "The other teachers were telling Jimmy's teacher that playing football wasn't a job, that he needed to correct Jimmy," Sheri said. Prairie Public Broadcasting provides quality radio, television, and public media services that educate, involve, and inspire the people of the prairie region. More important, she was his transportation. When he was still in diapers, Kleinsasser had trouble breathing, so Carter and Kathe took him to the hospital. Bookmark this page and come back often for updates. "It's going to be quite an offseason," Carter said. [1][6] He continued his 13-year career with the Vikings in the 2011 season. Its 8 oclock in the morning and you feel you should be at the stadium right now. "Kid," Theismann told him, "I cried, too. The principal asked Carter to put a claim in on his homeowners insurance, and the policy paid the school $500. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Some may argue that the Vikings should have cut ties with him long ago, because of his age and because of how the league has become so pass-happy. Long-snapper Cullen Loeffler has played for the Vikings since 2004. He's a tremendous example for any young player.". But he does have one thing that many of his current teammates do not: accountability. "Once I had a license, Jimmy would want to come with us. How much did Jim Kleinsasser weigh when playing? Yung Gravy, a native of Rochester, Minnesota, who released his album Marvelous in October, performed prior to Thursday's Vikings-Patriots game. 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. More important, she was his transportation. "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. "The other teachers were telling Jimmy's teacher that playing football wasn't a job, that he needed to correct Jimmy," Sheri said. Submit a correction suggestion and help us fix it. You watch Vikings games, and you can see the effect he has on so many plays. He didn't just choose UND on a whim either; he was born and raised there, which is probably the exact reason why he's been inducted into the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame. CelebsMoney has recently updated Jim Kleinsassers net worth. The 120 or so fans coming by ca Jim Kleinsassers age is 46. However, the snake can be overly suspicious, which makes them a bit paranoid. He's an anomaly among anomalies.". The former Minnesota Vikings tight end/fullback remembers traveling to his grandparents' house between the Belfield-Medora area. And it takes some luck just to stick around in this league. For him to make it 13 years, damn near 180 games, and still be standing at the end of it, that's something special. "To have somebody like him talk like that, it feels good," Kleinsasser said. On Sunday, Kleinsasser will suit up one last time in purple. Jim Kleinsassers income source is mostly from being a successful . He doesn't eat cereal. "That poor animal," Kathe said. "For him, Advil is a cure-all. He finished his career with the second-most starts by a tight end in Vikings history with 119. The day trippers certainly will be missed back home considering they represent 6 percent of the farming communitys population. Homes - Celebrity - Sports - Football Links: en.wikipedia.org By: tlp333 Celebrity Homes Mailing List James 'Jimmy Jam' Harris' house (former) Once they took him to the shoe store, and the salesman asked why Jimmy wasn't in school. He's broken many a rushing record and could eventually go down as one of the greatest of all time. This Sunday will be Jim Kleinsassers birthday. Jim Kleinsassers birth sign is Aquarius and he has a ruling planet of Uranus. The Vikings held their annual "Mascots vs. I feel at home here. Of course, even as a freshman, we'd put in special plays for him. He was selected out of the, then-Division II University of North Dakota. He was fine with that. Jim Kleinsasser: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know - FamousDetails 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. Send this article to anyone, no subscription is necessary to view it, Anyone can read, no subscription required, See He's six weeks old.' He's an anomaly among anomalies.". Hochhalter and Kleinsasser have become close friends, and Kleinsasser returns to Carrington in the summer to help with Hochhalter's football camps. '", 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. Murphy was the Minnesota Wild/NHL beat writer from 2002 to 2008 and has covered the Vikings as a reporter and columnist since 2009. Former NFL fullback and tight end who played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1999 to 2011. We are very proud of him.". Watching the game for the first time, it was weird. Kleinsasser was often known for his skill in pass and run blocking, and was a fixture on the offensive line as teammate Adrian Peterson shattered several team records and led the league in rushing during the 2008 season. Kleinsasser played sports, went to school, worked on the farm, did a little fishing and otherwise followed Sheri around. Carter said it was 4:30. We will continue to update information on Jim Kleinsassers parents. I just take pride in the fact that I work hard, and I figure that if you're willing to do anything, there's value in that. 2023 Celebrity Net Worth / All Rights Reserved. He was always a good eater.". Its weird in the sense that you are so used to this routine and youre on a schedule, he said. In third grade, on career day, Kleinsasser wore his Joe Theismann Redskins jersey to class. 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. How many games did Jim Kleinsasser play? Jimmy Kleinsasser attended Carrington High School in Carrington, North Dakota and was a letterman and a standout in football, basketball, and track & field. Kleinsassers high school football, track and basketball coach plans to be among the Carrington contingent at the Metrodome. Its been a blast. "He's one of the special few who has the genetic makeup to endure the brutality of this game and come back, week after week, and play through injuries, and at a high level. Kleinsasser has played for four head coaches. "I thought for sure the ball was overthrown. 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). Kleinsasser's number doesn't get called very often. I let him, as long as he would lay down in the backseat. U.S. Bank and Polaris surprised Army Sergeant Jonathon Laney and his family with a new truck and ATV during Sunday's game against the Cowboys. Kleinsasser was drafted as a tight end in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. , Star Tribune Kathe is about to be bracketed by retired workaholics, men who spent a lifetime of autumns reaping what they sowed. "You've got the farms and the bars and the churches and the characters. Carter folded his thick arms, leaned back and stared across the endless prairie. 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. When it was time to take a sheep to the fair, he yanked the back seat out of a '66 Chevy and made Jimmy ride with the sheep in back, the sheep bleating the whole way. Between 300 to 400 people showed up at Dickinsons Menards for grand opening week to get an autograph from Kleinsasser. Jim Kleinsasser's net worth We knew how good he was.". Carter and Kathe are sitting at their kitchen table. After high school, Kleinsasser played for UND, where he won a long list of awards, including All-American and unanimous All-NCC first team pick. I think its just time for me to move on, my family to move on into our next stage. The Kleinsassers expected Jimmy to be drafted in the second or third round by the New York Giants. My family comes to all the home games. Kleinsasser spent his entire 13-year career with the Vikings. Here's to a guy who's always been an accountable teammate. Jim Kleinsasser played 181 games . "One of the nurses came to us and said she was having trouble getting him to eat his cereal," Carter said. Jim Souhan is a sports columnist for the Star Tribune. In 1999, Kleinsasser was drafted as a fullback, a position that he played for the early portion of his career. He is popular for being a Football Player. 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. He was a basketball player at Carrington High School. asked Marty Hochhalter, Kleinsasser's high school coach. Kleinsasser, in his 13th season with the Vikings, was a second round draft pick from North Dakota in 1999. more of the story, Scoggins: For team's future, don't be too big to fail, Fred Zamberletti's long streak of Vikings games to end, Vikings NFL draft grades roundup: Above average to underwhelmed, 5 current questions about Vikings include Cousins, Cook, cornerbacks, BYU quarterback passed a key test before Vikings drafted him, Flores' influence on Vikings seen in shape-shifting draft picks for defense. "He's one of the special few who has the genetic makeup to endure the brutality of this game and come back, week after week, and play through injuries, and at a high level. He was a versatile TE and is remembered for his gritty toughness. He is from United States. When it was time to take a sheep to the fair, he yanked the back seat out of a '66 Chevy, and made Jimmy ride with the sheep in back, the sheep bleating the whole way. "He always wanted to play with me and my friends," Sheri said. Ive had a lot of good times here, great teammates, great coaches. Jim Kleinsasser, MN Vikings | Prairie Public Broadcasting He was a reliable receiver early in his career, hauling in 46 passes and four touchdowns in 2003 before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament the following year. During Thursday's game against the Patriots, the Vikings helped surprise the family of Zach Perkins, a deployed military member who unexpectedly returned back to Minnesota to surprise his family. Even coach Leslie Frazier, who's in his first year as a head coach, had this to say about Kleinsasser: "He's someone you can always count on. "I have to lift weights.". Kleinsasser was as tough on basketball backboards as he was on linebackers. 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. Of course, even as a freshman, we'd put in special plays for him. He was a basketball player at Carrington High School. He finished his career with the second-most starts by a tight end in Vikings history with 119. He defines what a Viking is supposed to be.". "One of the nurses came to us and said she was having trouble getting him to eat his cereal," Carter said. Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life, North Dakota Legislative Review 2023 | Sen. 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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.". Im content.. We are very proud of him.". Jimmie Johnson, a 10-year veteran in the NFL and the team's tight ends coach, has called Kleinsasser the best blocking tight end in the league. (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. Even having not made any Pro Bowls or All-Pro teams, he should be in the Ring of Honor. The Kleinsassers expected Jimmy to be drafted in the second or third round by the New York Giants. It feels good coming from him." Former Vikings TE Jim Kleinsasser was Tatum Everett's 'TCO Legends Connection' during Sunday's game against the Giants. BMTN Staff Updated: Mar 8, 2018 He outlasted the likes of Torii Hunter, Kevin Garnett and Matt Birk, three celebrated local athletes whose substantial contracts prompted their departures. But parting ways with Kleinsasser prematurely wouldn't have allowed the Vikings to accomplish the seemingly few feats that the fans cling on to. 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. Even among NFL players, Kleinsasser's toughness astounds. Murphy is a Detroit native and Wayne State University graduate. 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. Sheri was his idol. 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. 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. Wild ride, Kleinsasser said. "It was Jimmy's block that sealed the hole .You watch Vikings games, and you can see the effect he has on so many plays. Kleinsasser, 34, could hardly imagine the life the NFL afforded him after growing up on a wheat farm and playing football for then-Division II North Dakota. 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'. He grew up rooting for the Vikings and remains grateful for the opportunity the club provided. He just kicked into another gear and put up that big hand and made one heckuva catch, scored, and we won, 6-0. At Carrington High School, Kleinsasser was a starter on the 1995 Class B State Championship basketball team. Kleinsasser's first love was basketball, but football came naturally because he liked hitting people. I dont have any regrets. I try to adapt to whatever it takes to get the job done, or as good as I can get it done.". In 2007 and 2008 Kleinsasser was named to USA Today's All Joe Team honoring hard workers and under-recognized players. "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. 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. where does jim kleinsasser live now 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.
