Quite the career: Kleinsasser in 13th season with Vikings

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David Griswold / The Sun Carrington native Jim Kleinsasser is the longest tenured member of the Minnesota Vikings, beginning his 13th season with the team he grew up cheering for.

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MANKATO, Minn. — In 1999, the Minnesota Vikings took one of the top tight end prospects in the second round of the NFL Draft.

Since then, the 6-foot-3, 274-pounder has started 119 games for the purple and gold — second most of any tight end in franchise history — has hauled in the fourth most catches of any Viking tight end, and his career is still going.

Jim Kleinsasser, the longest tenured Viking on the roster, is entering his 13th year in the NFL and has been one of the most physical tight ends in the league. He has helped pave the way for seven of the top eight single-season rushing records for Minnesota, including Adrian Peterson’s record-setting mark of 1,760 yards in 2008.

But before he was blocking for one of the best rushers in the NFL, he was sporting No. 81 at Carrington High School, led by coach Marty Hochhalter.

Despite it being almost 17 years since he last played for the Cardinals, his high school days are still apart of his life today.

“I try to keep in touch with my old coach Marty Hochhalter as much as I can,” said Kleinsasser, who made 17 grabs for 148 yards last season with Minnesota. “He was pretty much one of the biggest influences in my football life.

“I’m really great friends with him now and I try to catch up with him whenever I can.”

Hochhalter, who is entering his 18th year coaching, knew he had something special with Kleinsasser.

“He was outstanding,” said Hochhalter of his former player. “He controlled the game on both sides of the ball and he was a great team player.

“Just being around him, you knew that he had the potential to be something special.”

Kleinsasser ended his high school career as a two-time all-state and all-region selection, and was twice named the Gatorade Circle of Champions North Dakota Player.

“I always had a great group of guys around me, whether it be coaches or teammates, and that was the big thing” said Kleinsasser, who was inducted into the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.

The 1995 Carrington High School graduate also excelled in track and field and basketball, including leading the Cardinals to a state Class B boys’ basketball championship in 1995.

Kleinsasser added that he still follows some of the teams throughout the school year. In fact, the former Cardinal great addressed the 2010 Carrington boys’ basketball team live via Skype prior to their run to the state championship.

“We keep close tabs (on the teams),” said Kleinsasser. “My parents still live in the area, so I try to keep pretty sharp with that.”

Kleinsasser followed his sister, Sheri, to the University of North Dakota, where he ended his four-year career with the Fighting Sioux as one of most decorated tight ends in the school’s history. And before long, he was suiting up for his favorite childhood team — the Minnesota Vikings.

“It’s unbelievable to sit at the Metrodome and hear a player announced that you once coached,” said Hochhalter. “It’s very special.”

Kleinsasser is among four tight ends that are expected to see playing time this year with the Vikings.

In Saturday’s edition of the The Sun, Kleinsasser previews the 2011 season.

Sun sports writer David Griswold can be reached at (701) 952-8462 or by email at dgriswold@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, football, nfl, vikings, kleinsasser