Scott Studwell has never been one for the limelight.
The Vikings Ring of Honor member was honored to accept an award earlier this week, though, when he was inducted into the Star Tribune Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame.
Studwell took the stage for a few moments to reflect on his time with the Vikings.
"Obviously, I had no idea what life had in store for me," Studwell told a crowd of fans gathered in the Mall of America rotunda. "I was very lucky to be drafted by the Vikings and to come to a place where I was able to learn and grow – and where I was given everything I needed and allowed to do my job.
"I've been lucky to be surrounded by coaches and people who were great to work with and for," he added.
Studwell was recognized Wednesday as one of 10 legends and luminaries of Minnesota sports, including two of his former Vikings teammates and Pro Football Hall of Famers, Paul Krause and Mick Tingelhoff.
Tingelhoff (1962-78), Krause (1968-79) and Studwell (1977-90) all established lengthy and successful careers in Vikings purple.
As Mark Craig of the Star Tribune noted, of 27,145 men who have played in an NFL game, only 337 have played in at least 200 games. Tingelhoff played 240 games, Krause 226 and Studwell 201.
"We were team-first guys who respected the team, the fans, what it means to be a Viking," Krause told Craig. "Basically, everyone on Bud Grant's teams did that. We laced it up and played."
View photos of Vikings legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mick Tingelhoff.
Minnesota Vikings center Mick Tingelhoff eyes a punt down field during practice as he prepares for his 174th consecutive regular season game in St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 24, 1975. Tingelhoff, who has snapped footballs for over 20 years, says he's not a bit bored with the game's most unglamorous job. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Former Minnesota Vikings center Mick Tingelhoff waves as he is introduced as a newly enshrined member of the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame before the Pittsburgh Steelers 2015 NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015 in Canton, Ohio. The Vikings won the game 14-3. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE - Former NFL Minnesota Viking Mick Tingelhoff, right, presents the Super Bowl High School Honor Roll Wilson Golden Football to Phil Traux, Activities Director at Lexington High School Saturday, July 18, 2015, in Lexington, Neb. Tingelhoff was honored by his hometown community for his career as an outstanding football player at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and with the Minnesota Vikings. Tingelhoff, who played in four Super Bowls and was named to the NFL Pro Bowl six times, will be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame next month in Canton, Ohio. (Bill Wolf/AP Images for National Football League)
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE - Mick Tingelhoff, 2015 NFL Hall of Fame Inductee, center, presents the Super Bowl High School Honor Roll Wilson Golden Football to Phil Traux, Lexington High School Activities Director, right, and teammate and longtime friend Steve Smith Saturday, July 18, 2015, in Lexington, Neb. Tingelhoff was honored by his hometown in recognition of his football career with the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Minnesota Vikings. Tingelhoff, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, played in four Super Bowls with the Vikings. (Bill Wolf/AP Images for National Football League)
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE - Mick Tingelhoff, 2015 NFL Hall of Fame Inductee, speaks with retired air force serviceman Chris Sladky on the phone as his father, Mike Sladky of Oxford, Neb., listens Saturday, July 18, 2015, in Lexington, Neb. Tingelhoff was honored in his hometown of Lexington as the mayor presented him with the Key to the City and proclaiming today and this day going forward as Mick Tingerhoff Day. The former Husker and Viking will be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame next month in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo by Bill Wolf)
To add to his career accolades by joining the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame means the world to Krause, who continues to hold the NFL record for interceptions with 81.
"It's a very, very great honor," Krause said. "Scott Studwell and Mick Tingelhoff, you know, those are two of my good friends. Scotty, I watched him play from being a rookie to being a star. It's just wonderful to be in with those kinds of people."
Krause's granddaughter, Maggie Malecha, accepted the award on behalf of Krause, who was out of town; Tingelhoff's award was accepted by the late center's wife, Phyllis.
View photos of Vikings legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Krause.
Below is the full Class of 2022 for the Star Tribune Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame:
Jean Freeman (Gophers swimmer, coach)
"Badger" Bob Johnson (coached Wisconsin; Minnesota native)
Paul Krause (Iowa; starred for Vikings)
Lou Nanne (Gophers)
Linda Roberts (Gophers)
Carol Ann Shudlick (Gophers)
Katie Smith (Ohio State; starred for Lynx)
Scott Studwell (Illinois; starred for Vikings)
Mychal Thompson (Gophers)
Mick Tingelhoff (Nebraska; starred for Vikings)
