Carl Eller
|
|
Carl Eller (born January 25, 1942) was a professional American football player in the National Football League from 1964 through 1979. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and attended the University of Minnesota, where he was a consensus All-American.
In 1964 Eller was drafted in the 1st round of the NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. As the left defensive end, he was a major factor in the front four of the Vikings' defensive unit known as the "Purple People Eaters".
Starting in 1968, Eller's fifth campaign, Minnesota won 10 Central Division titles in the next 11 seasons. The Vikings won the 1969 NFL championship and NFC crowns in 1973, 1974, and 1976 and played in four Super Bowls. He was selected to play in six Pro Bowls (1969-1972, 1974, and 1975). Eller played his final season in 1979 with the Seattle Seahawks. He played in a total 225 regular season games.
In 2004 Eller was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.