Former Minnesota Vikings' defensive end Chris Doleman was one of six players selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2012 on Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis.
Doleman was selected by the Vikings with the fourth overall pick in the 1985 NFL Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. After spending his first couple of seasons as a linebacker, Doleman was moved to defensive end, where he truly flourished. Of his 150.5 career sacks. . .a number that places him fourth in NFL history in that category. . .96.5 of them came as a member of the purple and gold. He played for the Vikings from 1985 to 1993, and returned to the team again for his final season in 1999. The Vikings traded him to the Atlanta Falcons prior to the 1994 season, and he played for the Falcons for two years before moving on to play for the San Francisco 49ers from 1996 to 1998.
This past season, Doleman was inducted into the Minnesota Vikings' Ring of Honor, the 19th person to receive that honor. Doleman's selection means that, for the third time in four years, an individual associated with the Minnesota Vikings will be inducted into Canton. John Randle was part of the Class of 2010, and Randall McDaniel was inducted in 2009.
Former Vikings' receiver Cris Carter was passed over again, the fifth time that he's been on the ballot and not gotten in. We'll have further opinion on that over the next day or two.