EAGAN, Minn. – Center/guard Dan Feeney, who agreed to terms with the Vikings on last Friday, signed his contract Tuesday during a visit to Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.
Mustachioed and mulleted, Feeney explained how, after seeing the SKOL Chant twice from the opposing sideline, he's excited to have that as part of the home-field advantage at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Heading into the 2017 NFL Draft, Feeney was labeled "the best interior offensive lineman" prospect by NFL analyst Lance Zierlein. The Chargers snagged Feeney in the third round, and he started 57 of 63 games played for them from 2017-20.
Feeney helped the Chargers average 111.5 rushing yards per game in 2020. According to analytics site Pro Football Focus, he was penalized just twice throughout the season. He was assessed with allowing four sacks of Justin Herbert in the quarterback's rookie season while playing each game at center.
Feeney played for the Jets from 2021-22, starting seven games and appearing in 33 total. He then made one start for his hometown Chicago Bears in 2023.
Here are five things to know about Minnesota's new offensive lineman:
- Hoosier standout
Feeney played four seasons for Indiana University. A two-time team captain, he became just the fourth player in school history to earn First-Team All-America honors twice – and just the third to earn First-Team honors in back-to-back seasons (2015-16).
Feeney started the first 41 games of his collegiate career at right guard and transitioned to right tackle for the final five. He allowed just two sacks over 3,355 snaps in those games.
- Rocks the mullet and the 'stache
Even if you weren't familiar with Feeney before, chances are you've seen a photo of him on social media. After all, he's been known to rock a pretty impressive mullet/mustache combo.
According to Feeney, he was inspired by Chargers kicker Michael Badgley's training camp mullet and aimed to grow his own hair out for the following season. He kept it, even though Badgley shed his.
And as far as the mustache?
"I think it was just something different," Feeney told Chargers team reporter Hayley Elwood in 2019. "It's tough for me to grow a beard, so I was like, 'I want something on there.' This little caterpillar? I think he's here to stay."
Asked if there was any Hollywood inspiration for the 'stache, Feeney pointed to the 1993 Western, Tombstone.
- Windy City foodie
Feeney hails from Orland Park, Illinois, which is a suburb of Chicago.
A self-identified deep-dish pizza fan, Feeney told Elwood that Lou Malnati's Pizzeria is his go-to spot for a good deep-dish.
He also gave a shout-out to Portillo's for "where to go to get the best [Italian] beef."
- Fe-He-He-He-Heeney!
Boy Meets World came a little before Feeney's time, but he's plenty familiar with the classic sitcom nonetheless. After all, with a name like Feeney … how could he not be?
"Growing up, that was a staple, for sure," he told Elwood. "All my friends had to give me a 'Feeny call' at one point or another."
- Big man, big dog
Feeney and his girlfriend, Emily, have an English Mastiff named Mel.
