Posts by Lindsey Young

Despite growing up on the East Coast, former NFL linebacker EJ Henderson has come to know Minnesota as home—both as a member of the Vikings and as an active member of the community.

Henderson played high school ball in Aberdeen, Maryland before accepting an athletic scholarship to play for the University of Maryland Terrapins. During his time there, Henderson notched three NCAA records: career unassisted tackles per game (8.8), season unassisted tackles (135 in 2002) and career total tackles per game (12.5).

As a junior, Henderson found himself named the 2001 ACC Player of the year, and in his final season with the Terrapins he was recognized as the nation’s No. 1 defensive player and the No. 1 linebacker.

Most Vikings fans will also know that Henderson’s younger brother Erin followed in EJ’s footsteps. Erin played both quarterback and linebacker at Aberdeen High School, and he redshirted at the University of Maryland.

Being six years apart, the Henderson brothers didn’t play on the same team together until they reached the NFL. “I pretty much played the older brother dynamic,” said EJ, “until probably [Erin’s] freshman or sophomore year in college.”[1] At that point, the dynamic shifted to more of a friendship, as the brothers had so much in common and pursued the same goals. EJ continued to hold a “big brother” role in his leadership toward the pros, and Erin traveled the same path.

EJ’s journey to the NFL proved seamless. Starting his junior season at Maryland, Henderson grasped the reality that reaching the big leagues was a very real scenario for him. At that point, his recognition stretched nationwide. Henderson said he realized the potential “right around when the draft talks started to come out”—when he saw his name included in the lists.

The linebacker entered the 2003 NFL draft and was picked in Round 2 (No. 40 overall) by Minnesota. Henderson debuted for the Vikings that season, in which he played all 16 games and recorded 32 tackles as a rookie.

Although the first couple seasons didn’t make the record books, Henderson solidified himself as a part of the roster and worked his way up.

Number 56 quickly became a fan favorite in Minnesota, consistently coming up with big tackles and showing good speed on the field.

KFAN radio personality and Vikings play-by-play man Paul Allen weighed in on Henderson’s impact with the Vikes:

“EJ is one of my all-time favorites,” said Allen. “I appreciate him so much due to the fact his career started very slowly and he turned the corner and became a stud. Along the way he became more comfortable in his skin and a more open person with guys like me.”[2]

Henderson played his entire nine-year career as a Viking, and he considers himself blessed to have done so.

His favorite memory?  Scoring against the Lions.

On October 8, 2006, Detroit quarterback Jon Kitna passed on a 4^th and 10 in the final quarter. Henderson intercepted the pass, then rumbled the ball 45 yards to the end zone. Minnesota went on to win the game, 26-17.

The TD was the only score of Henderson’s career, and he says the moment stands out as a definite highlight among many great memories with the Vikings. “That was probably one of my proudest moments in the Dome.”

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{Motivated. Passionate. Intelligent. Positive. Forthright.}

The above adjectives collaboratively describe father, football analyst, Twitter buff and former NFL quarterback Sage Rosenfels.

Although Rosenfels’ career did not spend much time in the spotlight, his dynamic personality and leadership—both on and off the field—had a significant impact in the league and especially during his time here in Minnesota.

During the decade that Rosenfels spent in the NFL (2002-2012), he occupied five different rosters and played under several offenses and coaching systems. Although he never served full time in a starting role, Rosenfels gained the insight, skills and leadership that made him a valuable element for any squad.

A well-rounded athlete, Rosenfels attended Maquotketa (Iowa) Community High School where he lettered not only in football but also basketball, baseball, tennis and track. Rosenfels knew he would need to narrow his focus, however; after his final season of football, the highschool senior sat down with his parents and discussed which sport he should play in college. Physically, Rosenfels was built for football—he and his family agreed that it was the sport he would be most successful in.

“I loved basketball, but we knew I wouldn’t improve [on that] much more,” Rosenfels said. “We felt I had a lot of untapped potential in football.”[1] Soon after the discussion with his parents, a scholarship offer from Iowa State sealed the deal.

Rosenfels played four different positions while in high school, filling roles on both sides of the field. He taught himself to kick and punt as a sophomore, and he also dabbled a bit at corner and safety. “But let’s just say tackling was not my strength,” he quipped.

“Coming from a small town, a lot of players played both ways, as there are only so many good athletes on a team,” Rosenfels explained. He always knew that QB was the position he wanted to play permanently, though, and it was at that position that Iowa State recruited him.

While at ISU, Rosenfels led the Cyclones to an 8-3 record in 2000. He was a two-year starter, playing a key role in wins against major opponents like Iowa, Kansas and Colorado. The Cyclones played in the Insight.com Bowl in Phoenix that same season, and Rosenfels led the team to the first bowl victory in ISU history. His 308 yards and two touchdowns earned him the Offensive MVP title.

Rosenfels was a “quiet success” story in college. In fact, he was defined in a 2000 article as one of the top NFL prospects among senior QB’s—The Gazette’s Jim Ecker listed him alongside Drew Brees. When Rosenfels entered the Draft in 2001, however, many NFL Scouts weren’t sure how soon he would be picked up. Rosenfels fell to the fourth round of the draft. He was the sixth quarterback selected in a draft with premier talent at that position, including Brees and Michael Vick.

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