Joe Kapp, the former Minnesota Vikings and California Golden Bears quarterback, passed away on March 17th at the age of 85.
Kapp was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1934, and he attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he played college football. He was a two-time All-American and led the Golden Bears to a Rose Bowl victory in 1959. After college, Kapp was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1959 but chose to play in the Canadian Football League instead.
Kapp spent seven seasons in the CFL, playing for the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions. He was a three-time All-Star and won the Grey Cup with the Lions in 1964. In 1967, Kapp returned to the United States to play for the Minnesota Vikings. He led the Vikings to the Super Bowl in 1969, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kapp was known for his toughness and leadership on the field. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004. After his playing career, Kapp became a successful businessman and was involved in several philanthropic endeavors.
Kapp’s death is a great loss to the football community. He was an inspirational player and leader who will be remembered for his accomplishments on and off the field. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
