...By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
Joe Kapp was a legendary quarterback who played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1967 to 1969.
He led the team to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance in 1970 and threw seven touchdowns in a single game.
However, his tenure with the Vikings ended abruptly when he left the team after three seasons.
Reasons for departure
The primary reason for Kapp’s departure was a contract dispute between him and the team management.
After leading the Vikings to their first Super Bowl appearance, Kapp wanted a raise that would make him one of the highest-paid players in the league.
The team refused to meet his demands and offered him a lower salary than he requested.
This disagreement eventually led to an impasse between Kapp and the team management, resulting in his departure from the Vikings.
Other contributing factors
Apart from the contract dispute, there were other contributing factors that led to Kapp’s departure from Minnesota.
During his time with the Vikings, there were several coaching changes that may have caused tension between him and some of his teammates or coaches.
It has also been speculated that personal disagreements on certain matters, such as team strategies or goals, may have also played a role in his unexpected departure from the team.
Impacts of Kapp’s departure
Kapp’s departure had significant impacts on both the Minnesota Vikings and NFL as a whole.
His absence from the team resulted in a decline in performance, ultimately leading to their failure to make another Super Bowl appearance until 1977.
Furthermore, due to his strong leadership skills and competitive spirit, many consider Joe Kapp as one of football’s greatest quarterbacks of all time, making his abrupt exit from Minnesota even more impactful on both teams and fans alike.
Retirement and legacy
Joe Kapp retired from professional football in 1970 after 12 seasons.
He was the first player to initiate a groundbreaking antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, which led to his retirement.
After retiring from football, he went on to become a successful businessman and coach.
He is still remembered today as one of the most influential quarterbacks in history, and his jersey number 22 hangs proudly, retired by the Lions alongside seven other all-time greats.
The CFL also voted him onto the Honour Roll of the top 50 players in history.
