When the Vikings host the Packers on October 23, one of the best defensive players in franchise history will enter the team’s Ring of Honor.
Defensive end Chris Doleman, one of the dominant sackmasters of the late 1980s, becomes the 19th person to receive that distinction. Doleman had 21 sacks in 1989. For his career, Doleman racked up 150.5 sacks, fourth most in NFL history.
He was a bright spot on a string of Vikings teams that were regarded as underachieving and one-dimensional, with a stout defense but a limited offense.
Passed over multiple times for inclusion in the Hall of Fame, Doleman’s recognition is overdue. And if the Vikings are ahead by 20 or more points at intermission of the Packers game, maybe he can suit up one last time in the hopes of helping the team finally hold a lead.