Cris Carter
Retired Football Player
Cris Carter started his career with the Philadelphia Eagles after being selected by them in the fourth round in 1987, but when Buddy Ryan let him go for $100, the Minnesota Vikings did the best thing in franchise history and embraced him with open arms. Carter led the Vikings all the way through the 1990's and was the teams heart and soul through many playoff seasons. Always making impossible catches and finding his way into the endzone "CC" was an enigmatic player who put past alcohol and drug use behind him.
It wasn't until early 1992, when Dennis "Denny" Green replaced Jerry Burns as coach and began cleaning house, that Carter started to excel. "The New Sheriff in Town" released stalwarts like RB Herschel Walker and QB Wade Wilson and traded DT Keith Millard to the Seattle Seahawks. Carter continued to break out as he paired with Jim McMahon, Warren Moon, Brad Johnson, and Randall Cunningham through the 1990's.
In 1998, after a 15-1 regular season, the Vikings faced the Atlanta Falcons in what would be the biggest game of Carter's career. With Randy Moss now on the team and burning opposing defenses, the Vikings entered the game favored by almost two touchdowns. However, January 17, 1999 will forever be remembered as "Black Sunday" in Minnesota. The Vikings led the Atlanta Falcons 27-20 with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter when Gary Anderson attempted a 38 yard field goal. The events that ensued will torment Viking fans forever.
Anderson, who had not missed a kick all season (35-35 FG, 59-59 PAT), pulled the kick left. The Falcons drove the field and tied the score. The Vikigns did get the ball back but elected to head into overtime. In the overtime session the Vikings once unstoppable offense went cold and were unable to muster up a field goal attempt in two possessions. Atlanta took advantage and a Morten Andersen field goal sent the Falcons to their first ever Super Bowl. The defeat was devastating for the Vikings, they became the largest favorite to ever lose a home playoff game, and squandered their best chance to reach the Super Bowl during Green's tenure. Carter later said losing that game was the lone regret of his time in Minnesota.
Carter is now a color commentary analyst and helps out at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale. He is also an ordained minister.
2007 GridironTalk.com -