NFL Week 17: Minnesota Vikings' Jim Kleinsasser To Play His Last Game

For as long as I can remember, I've been watching tight end Jim Kleinsasser rumbling down the field and making great plays for the Vikings. However, that era is drawing to a close.

Kleinsasser found himself a second-round draft pick (44th overall) in 1999. The North Dakota native has started every game in his 13 seasons in purple and gold, and fans are sad to see him hang up his helmet.

Although Kleinsasser would have been a free agent following this season, he had the opportunity to return for season No. 14 with Minnesota. Anyone will testify that the 34-year-old can still play football.  However, he's made this decision confidently.

"I'm walking away with two legs that work great and my head is still intact," Kleinsasser said. "I think I feel good about leaving the game right now and just kind of moving on."

Despite Minnesota struggling this season, fans hope the team gives Kleinsasser a game he can be proud to talk away from on Sunday. The Vikings will host the Chicago Bears at 12 p.m., and head coach Leslie Frazier wasn't shy about his intentions to honor the veteran:

"I'm not letting out any secrets there. If we get down to the 1 [yard line], Chicago, you better stop number 40. We're going to find a way to try to get him into the end zone if we can."

Frazier expressed accolades for Kleinsasser in a recent Star Tribune article:

"

He's someone you can always count on. You know he's going to come to work prepared, ready to do his job. He's a tremendous example for any young player coming into the league with his work ethic and the way he approaches things.

"

Kleinsasser walks away from the game of football as a class act, and he will certainly succeed in the next chapter of his life, as well. He says he looks forward to focusing more time on his wife and two children, ages two and four.

Good luck, No. 40.

And thank you.

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