[History Profile] DE Alan Page

[bkess8]

Position: Defensive End
Hometown: Canton, OH
Years Played: 1964-1966
1966 All American

Alan Page was a three year starter at defensive end for the Irish from 1964 to 1966. During his career he recorded 134 tackles, four fumble recoveries, two pass breakups, one touchdown and was a member of the 1966 National Championship team. He was also a participant in the East – West Shrine Game and later inducted into the game’s hall of fame.

The Minnesota Vikings would select him with the 15th pick of the first round in the 1967 NFL Draft. Page would lead a very productive career as a member of the “Purple People Eaters”. Some of his accolades include: Participant in Super Bowl IV, three time NFC Champion, nine Pro Bowl selections, six time First Team All Pro, member of the 1970’s All-Decade Team, 1970 NFC Defensive POY, 1971 NFL MVP, 1971 NFL Defensive POY, and also has his number 88 jersey retired by the Vikings.

After football Page has been a pillar to society, he is the first African-American to hold seat as the Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. In 1988 Page started the Page Education Foundation that provides financial assistance to students of color in trade for their education those students volunteer service in the community. The Page Foundation has awarded grants to over 5,500 students who have committed over 375,000 hours of community service! A book was written about Page in 2010 by Bill McGrane titled All Rise, The Remarkable Journey of Alan Page.

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[dshans]

One of my favorite photos of Justice Page:



The course of the annual Twin Cities Marathon runs by his house so he steps out and gives an impromptu concert.

 

[ndfi78]

He is the definition of a Notre Dame man.

 

[bkess8]

He is the definition of a Notre Dame man.

His off the field accomplishments are what led me to make a profile about him, a great inspiration/role model to many young men and women.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Page, Kevin Hardy, and Jim Lynch stuffed everything MSU tried to throw at us that game. Unfortunately, Bubba Smith and George Webster stuffed everything we tried to throw at them. What a defensive battle of the Titans! I've always been prejudiced of course that if we'd had Nick Eddy and if Hanratty hadn't been hurt, we'd have won the famous tie. One of my fondest memories is Bear Bryant complaining that his team could have beaten us and State. I'd have LOVED seeing them try to play us back-to-back. {One of the better players on that Bama team was a defensive end weighing 188 pounds. I'm sure that Goeddeke, Regner, and Seiler [three OLine All-Americans] might just have found a way to block him --- and everybody else on that team}

 

[Irish#1]

That 66 game was one of the best even if it ended in a tie. I agree with OMM. Injuries hurt our chances in that game.

As a member of the Vikings Page was a member of the famous Purple People Eaters. That was a pretty stout NFL defense.

Page's contributions to society are inspiring. More kids need to learn about him and find out what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.

Thanks BKESS8

 

[bkess8]

That 66 game was one of the best even if it ended in a tie. I agree with OMM. Injuries hurt our chances in that game.

As a member of the Vikings Page was a member of the famous Purple People Eaters. That was a pretty stout NFL defense.

Page's contributions to society are inspiring. More kids need to learn about him and find out what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.

Thanks BKESS8

You're welcome, I really enjoy making these profiles but it doesn't seem to strike much interest with members here. Glad that some people take the time to read and comment, it is much appreciated.

 

[bkess8]

Bump

 

[woolybug25]

That 66 game was one of the best even if it ended in a tie. I agree with OMM. Injuries hurt our chances in that game.

As a member of the Vikings Page was a member of the famous Purple People Eaters. That was a pretty stout NFL defense.

Page's contributions to society are inspiring. More kids need to learn about him and find out what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.

Thanks BKESS8

That game changed football forever and showed why Ara was a brilliant coach.

Here's a great article on that game. Might be a good topic, Bkess.

The Tie Will Be Unbroken «

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Great subject, great job, Bkess!

 

[Legacy]

Page is one of the greats and one of my all-time favorite Irish players. What he has done after the pros is worth striving for.

 

[Irish#1]

That game changed football forever and showed why Ara was a brilliant coach.

Here's a great article on that game. Might be a good topic, Bkess.

The Tie Will Be Unbroken «

I was a freshman and had a bet with my biology teacher. If MSU won, I had to wear his bow tie (he always wore a bow tie). If ND won, he had to wear a neck tie of my choosing. We both ended up wearing the others.

Thanks for the article.

 

[bkess8]

That game changed football forever and showed why Ara was a brilliant coach.

Here's a great article on that game. Might be a good topic, Bkess.

The Tie Will Be Unbroken «

Wooly I'm going to start looking into this for next week.

 

[dshans]

One nitty picky point in the article:

"Some of his accolades include: Member of the 1969 Super Bowl Champions."

The Vikes have played in four Super Bowls and lost them all.

 

[bkess8]

One nitty picky point in the article:

"Some of his accolades include: Member of the 1969 Super Bowl Champions."

The Vikes have played in four Super Bowls and lost them all.

Corrected and thank you for your inputs.

 

[dshans]

Corrected and thank you for your inputs.

No problemo.

Alan Page is a hero in so many, many ways.

Sadly, leading the Vikings to a Super Bowl victory is not one of them.