55°
Tarkenton, who has a home in New Rochelle, turns 76 on Wednesday, Feb. 3.
Best-known for playing with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants, Tarkenton worked as a commentator on "Monday Night Football" and a co-host of "That's Incredible!" At the time of his retirement, Tarkenton held every major quarterback record. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
In addition to football, Tarkenton also founded Tarkenton Software, a computer program generator company that later merged with KnowledgeWare, until selling the company to Sterling Software in 1994.
Born in Richmond, Va., he later went to Athens High School in Georgia and attended the University of Georgia, where he was the quarterback on the Bulldogs football team. He led Georgia to the 1959 Southeastern Conference championship under Coach Wally Butts.
The Minnesota Vikings drafted Tarkenton in the third round of the 1961 NFL Draft; he was the only player in NFL history to pass for four touchdowns in his first NFL game until the feat was repeated by Marcus Mariota in the Tennessee Titans' 2015 season opener.
Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants in 1967, at which time he moved to New Rochelle.
Click here to follow Daily Voice New Rochelle and receive free news updates.
