Alan Page

American football defensive tackle who became the first defensive player to win NFL MVP in 1971 and later served as Minnesota Supreme Court Justice

Born in Canton, Ohio on August 7, 1945, Alan Cedric Page grew up in a working-class family and demonstrated exceptional athletic ability from an early age. He attended Central Catholic High School before earning a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, where he played defensive tackle for the Fighting Irish. His dominant college performance caught the attention of NFL scouts, leading to his selection as the 15th overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1967 NFL Draft. Page transformed the defensive tackle position during his NFL career, combining unprecedented speed and agility with traditional defensive line strength. Playing primarily with the Minnesota Vikings from 1967 to 1978, he anchored the famous "Purple People Eaters" defensive line alongside Carl Eller, Jim Marshall, and Gary Larsen. His exceptional mobility allowed him to pursue plays sideline to sideline, revolutionizing expectations for interior linemen. Page concluded his playing career with the Chicago Bears from 1978 to 1981, retiring after 15 seasons. In 1971, Page became the first defensive player in NFL history to win the Most Valuable Player award, a testament to his game-changing impact. He earned nine Pro Bowl selections and six consecutive All-Pro honors while helping lead Minnesota to four Super Bowl appearances. His career statistics include over 170 quarterback sacks, though official sack records were not kept during much of his playing tenure. Beyond football, Page pursued academic excellence while maintaining his playing career, earning his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1978. Following his retirement from football, he practiced law and later served as an associate justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court from 1993 to 2015. His dual success in professional sports and jurisprudence remains virtually unprecedented among former athletes. Page was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, cementing his legacy as both a transformative athlete and distinguished public servant.

Exceptionally quick and agile defensive tackle who used speed rather than just size to disrupt opposing offenses

Revolutionized the defensive tackle position with his speed and agility, later became the first African American Minnesota Supreme Court Justice

• NFL MVP 1971 (first defensive player)
• 4x NFC Champion
• 9x Pro Bowl
• Minnesota Supreme Court Justice
• Super Bowl VIII
• Super Bowl IX
• 6x All-Pro First Team
• College Football Hall of Fame