Fran Tarkenton was drafted in 1961 by the Minnesota Vikings. Foreshadowing an illustrious professional career, he threw four touchdown passes in the first game of his first season in the NFL. He threw for more than 1,000 yards in each of his eighteen professional seasons—an NFL record. Tarkenton even reached that 1,000-yard mark in 1977 despite breaking his leg in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals and missing the last five games. He led the Vikings to the Super Bowl in 1973, 1974, and 1976. He was named NFL All-Pro in 1973 and 1975 and was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection. When he retired after the 1978 season at the age of thirty-nine, Tarkenton held lifetime NFL records for passing attempts (6,467), passing completions (3,686), passing yards (47,003), and touchdowns (342). He also ran for 3,674 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground. The Vikings' head coach, Bud Grant, called Tarkenton "the greatest quarterback to ever play the game."
In a career full of prolific seasons, none were better for Fran Tarkenton individually than 1975. That year Tarkenton led the Vikings to a 12-2 record and also saw him tie and break one of the NFL’s most significant records. On December 20, 1975 in a game against the Buffalo Bills, he threw for his 290th and 291st career touchdowns, breaking the career touchdown record previously held by the great Johnny Unitas. Despite losing in the first round of the playoffs, Tarkenton had an exceptional statistical year. He was second in the league in passing with 2,994 yards and led the league in touchdown passes with 25. At the end of the 1975 season Tarkenton was voted the Most Valuable Player in the NFL. That year Tarkenton was also named NFL Offensive Player of The Year, UPI NFC Player of The Year and winner of the Burt Bell Award. The offered football was presented to Tarkenton in recognition of his paramount season. While we do not know the exact circumstances by which Tarkenton received the ball, we do know that he personally gave the ball to his friend Cy Jones, along with his 1975 Vikings jersey offered as the following lot (531). The official Wilson NFL game model ball bears the painted notation “#1 PLAYER NFL ‘75”. On the same panel Tarkenton’s faded inscription reads, "To Cy Jones, One of the all time greats, Fran Tarkenton”. The ballpoint ink inscription rates about 4-5 out of 10. The ball has the appearance of being game used. Based solely on its physical traits and provenance, this is unquestionably a highly significant NFL award from a true gridiron great. Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.