Former NFL Rookie of the Year dies at 84: Minnesota Vikings fans bid farewell to receiver Paul Flatley

Paul Flatley, the first in a long line of great Minnesota Vikings wide receivers, has passed away at 84, the team announced Sunday.

The Vikings said he died Saturday, but no additional details were provided

The 1963 Associated Press NFL rookie of the Year, Flatley piled up more than 3,000 receiving yards over five seasons, mostly in Minnesota, where he preceded greats Ahmad Rashad, Jake Reed, Chris Carter, Randy Moss and the team’s current star wideout, Justin Jefferson.

He finished his career with three seasons in Atlanta playing for the Falcons. With many Vikings fans mourning his loss and offering prayers online, one aficionado noted they ‘hated seeing Flatley in a Falcons uniform. Just didn’t look right.’

Flatley hailed from Richmond, Indiana – the same town that gave the NFL Baltimore Colts and New York Jets head coach Weeb Ewbank, journeyman running back Vagas Ferguson, and Lamar Lundy of the LA Rams’ ‘Fearsome Foursome.’

After shifting from halfback to flanker at Northwestern, Flatley was a fourth-round pick (44th overall) by Minnesota in the 1963 draft, joining a team in just its third season.

He had five catches for 72 yards in the season opener and started all 14 games in his debut season, finishing with 51 catches for 867 yards and four touchdowns.