Carl Eller is a former professional football player who played in the NFL from 1964 through 1979. He attended University of Minnesota, where he was voted All-American in his junior and senior years. During his time in college, the Gophers became National champions as well as Big Ten Champions. Eller was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006. Following each football season, the Carl Eller Award is given to the University of Minnesota’s Defensive Player of the Year. In 1964 Eller was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings. As the left defensive end in the Vikings front four, he was a major factor in the unit known as the “Purple People Eaters.” Starting in 1968, the Vikings won 10 Central Division titles in the next 11 seasons, as well as the 1969 NFL championship. Eller was selected to play in six Pro Bowls and was picked First-Team All-NFL. He was voted the George S. Halas Trophy in 1971 as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. He is also credited as the Vikings all-time sack leader. In 2000, Eller was named to the Vikings’ 40th Anniversary Team, as well as to the 50th Anniversary team in 2010. In 2004 he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After an illustrious 15-year career in professional football, Eller continues to be active in the community. He helped to develop the National Football League’s Chemical Dependency Education and Awareness Coaches Training program. As a licensed drug and alcohol counselor, he also founded a group of substance-abuse clinics in the Twin Cities called Triumph Life Centers. Eller has previous acknowledged personal problems with substance abuse, and he has spoken openly and publicly to groups about the problems of chemical dependency. He is President of the Retired Players Association (RPA), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing powerful national advocacy and collegial support for retired professional football players, their families, and the community at large. He is active in retirement working on charitable fundraising events with the Minnesota Vikings and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well as other causes in his North Minneapolis community.
