EAGAN, Minn. – Vikings Ring of Honor member Alan Page transcends football.
He was the first the first African American to become a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and the first African American elected to a statewide office.
As part of Black History Month, The Athletic's Dan Pompei wrote about Page's continued "quest for justice in football and beyond."
A few times each month, Alan Page visits Justice Page Middle School, one of two schools named in his honor. … Page goes to inspire students. In their upturned faces and wide eyes, he sees opportunity. He is there to show them possibilities that might have never occurred to them and to encourage hopes and dreams.
Pompei utilized multiple points in Page's journey to illustrate a lifelong commitment to the pursuit of justice.
Sometimes it was on the field, like in 1971, when he was flagged for being offsides against the Lions on consecutive plays. He disputed the calls and responded with two tackles for loss, a sack and a blocked punt on his way to becoming the first defensive player (only one other has since) to win NFL MVP honors.
It wasn't about football. It was about justice.
"He stood up for what he believed," Jim Marshall told Pompei. "He had, and still has, a mindset of justice. And just as important, a will to pursue justice."
Page's pursuit of justice began much earlier in his life and has expanded after his playing career. Growing up in Canton, Ohio, his family stayed attentive to progresses like the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling that declared the segregation of public schools as unconstitutional, but also was impacted by hurtful experiences like seeing "Coloreds Only" signs and enduring racial epithets shouted by people in passing cars.
Page was about 8 when he bought a toy car at a five-and-dime store in his hometown of Canton, Ohio. He threw away the receipt and took the car into another nearby five-and-dime. As he left the second store, he was stopped and accused of stealing the toy car.
"What stuck with me from that day was being accused and not being believed," Page told Pompei. "The unfairness of it."
Before Page was in fifth grade, he decided to become a lawyer.
Page became a player rep and leader in the NFLPA, helping establish free agency for future generations of players.
He earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1978 and launched his legal career the following year.
In 1988, in coincidence with his enshrinement to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Page and his late wife Diane launched the Page Education Foundation, which advances educational opportunities for students of color through scholarships that are granted while fostering mentorship of youth.
Page was sworn in as a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice on Jan. 4, 1993. He went on to serve 22 years on the court before stepping down in 2015 because of the age maximum (70 years old).
Click here to read Pompei's full story on Page.
Terry Allen named to South Carolina Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Celebrations are in order for Vikings Legend Terry Allen.
Not only did Allen turn 56 years old on Wednesday, but the former standout running back has been elected to the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame.
Last week, the SCFHOF announced its 2023 class, which features Allen, Ben Coates, Harold Green, Stump Mitchell and Jimmy Satterfield. Members will be enshrined at the 11th Annual Enshrinement Ceremony on April 18, 2024, at the Hotel Hartness in Greenville, South Carolina.
The Class of 2023 will be honored alongside the 2023 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy (TBA) recipient, 2023 Humanitarian of the Year Award (TBA) recipient, and 2024 Bridge Builder Excellence Award (TBA) Finalists.
Proceeds from the event go to provide support for the Bridge Builder Excellence Award Program and the #SCTop10N2030 Movement to lead South Carolina students to the Top 10 in college and career readiness by Dec. 31, 2030. Supporters can give to the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame by sending a gift to 1 Whitsett St., Greenville, SC 29601 or go to scfootballhof.org
Allen played three seasons at Clemson before spending a decade in pros. He was selected by the Vikings in 1990 and played four seasons in Minnesota. For the Vikings, he posted 1,000-plus yard rushing seasons in 1992 and 1994.
