It’s always tough when tragedy strikes professional sports, reminding us that pro athletes, whom we often perceive as invincible, are still just human beings. Unfortunately, the NFL community faced this reality with the recent passing of former Rookie of the Year winner, Paul Flatley.
“The #Vikings are mourning the loss of Paul Flatley. Flatley, a former Vikings receiver and the 1963 AP NFL Rookie of the Year, passed away Saturday at the age of 84,” the Minnesota Vikings tweeted from their official team account on Monday.
Fans expressed their sorrow on social media, with one writing, “Always a sad day when one of the sports legends passes. RIP.” Another fan reflected, “RIP. One of the best offensive players for the Vikings during the Van Brocklin era. When I met Carl Eller, he remarked that Flatley ‘just had those hands’ in a tone of admiration.”
One fan humorously noted, “His last words were, ‘No Rodgers, start the kid.’ There is NO WAY we can not honor this man’s dying wish!” It’s crucial that Flatley’s family and friends receive the time they need to heal during this difficult period.
