JIM FINKS
Game 126 | October 13, 1964 | Jim Finks
A former star quarterback in both the National and Canadian Football Leagues, Finks became general manager of the Vikings in 1964. He held that position for a decade and was named NFL Executive of the Year after the Vikings made it to the Super Bowl against Miami. He later served as general manager of the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints and was the odds-on favorite to become NFL commissioner in 1989 when Paul Tagliabue became a surprise pick. A heavy smoker, Finks died of lung cancer in 1994 at age 66.
Game 192 | April 22, 1971 | Dick Nolan, George Connor, Jim Finks
An outstanding defensive back with the New York Giants, Nolan coached the San Francisco 49ers to three straight NFC West Division titles from 1970-1972. Winner of the 1944 Outland Trophy at Notre Dame, Connor starred at defensive end and linebacker for the Chicago Bears from 1948-1955 and is a member of both the college and pro football halls of fame. Before the 1972 season, Finks, the Vikings general manager, made a trade with the Giants to bring Fran Tarkenton back to Minnesota.
Game 358 | May 13, 1988 | Jim Finks
The former general manager of the Minnesota Vikings left pro football in 1983 to become the president and chief executive officer of the Chicago Cubs. Under his leadership the team won the National League's Eastern Division crown in 1984. Two years later he took over a New Orleans Saints team that had never had a winning season in its 19-year history. His first move was to hire Jim Mora as head coach, and, in just Finks' second season, the team won 12 games and he was named NFL Executive of the Year for the second time.
