Jeff Pearlman of Sports Illustrated notes that the USFL launched 30 years ago this spring. For you younger Vikings fans, the United States Football League was an upstart rival to the NFL that initially posed serious competition due to the signing of big name players such as the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Herschel Walker, and the defection of NFL veterans.
I decided to compile a list of people who played for both the Vikings and for a USFL team.
This list of USFL Players who also played for the Minnesota Vikings is culled from the superb list of USFL/NFL Players compiled by OurSportsCentral.com. I’ve listed the players in order of significance to the Vikings, either positive or negative, followed by marginal players. Note that eight of these players were scabs on the 1987 strike year squad.
- Gary Zimmerman – T – (Vikings 1986-1992; Broncos 1993-1997)
- 1984 LA Express
- Member of the Hall of Fame
- Keith Millard – DT – (Vikings 1985-1990; Seahawks 1992; Packers 1992; Eagles 1993)
- 1985 Jacksonville Bulls
- Herschel Walker – RB – (Cowboys 1986-1989, 1996-1997; Vikings 1989-1991; Eagles 1992-1994; Giants 1995)
- 1983 New Jersey Generals
- Primary player of the infamous trade that built a Super Bowl dynasty in Dallas
- Anthony Carter – WR – (Vikings 1985-1993, Lions 1994-1995)
- 1983 Michigan Panthers
- Dave Huffman – G/C – (Vikings 1979-1983, 1985-1990)
- 1983-1984 Arizona Wranglers
- David Howard – LB – (Vikings 1985-1989; Cowboys 1989-1990; Patriots 1991-1992)
- 1984 LA Express
- Traded to Dallas as part of the Herschel Walker trade
- Chris Foote – C – (Colts 1980-1981; Giants 1982-1983; Vikings 1987-1990)
- 1984 LA Express
- 1985 Tampa Bay Bandits
- Joe Harris – LB – (Redskins 1977; 49ers 1978; Vikings 1979; Rams 1979-1981; Colts 1982)
- 1983 Washington Federals
- Kevin Miller – KR/PR – (Vikings 1978)
- 1983 Birmingham Stallions
- Mike Livingston – QB – (Chiefs 1968-1979; Vikings 1980)
- 1983 Oakland Invaders
- Sam Harrell – RB – (Vikings 1981-1982, 1987)
- 1984 Houston Gamblers
- Bryan Howard – DB – (Vikings 1982)
- 1984 Memphis Showboats
- Norris Brown – TE – (Vikings 1983)
- 1984 New Jersey Generals
- 1985 Jacksonville Bulls
- Robert Cobb – DE – (Rams 1981; Bucs 1982; Vikings 1984)
- 1984 Washington Federals
- Bill Dugan – G – (Seahawks 1981-1983; Vikings 1984; Giants 1987)
- 1985 Baltimore Stars
- Mike Lush – DB – (Colts 1986, Vikings 1986, Falcons 1987)
- 1983 Philadelphia Stars
- David Evans – DB – (Vikings 1986-1987)
- 1983 Birmingham Stallions
- Terry Love – DB – (Vikings 1987)
- 1984 Memphis Showboats
- Jimmy Walker – DT – (Vikings 1987)
- 1983 Birmingham Stallions
- 1984 Memphis Showboats
- Andre Thomas – RB – (Vikings 1987)
- 1984 Birmingham Stallions
- Fletcher Louallen – DB – (Vikings 1987)
- 1985 Birmingham Stallions
- Willie Gillespie – WR – (Buccaneers 1986; Vikings 1987)
- 1983 Tampa Bay Bandits
- Wayne Jones – G – (Vikings 1987)
- 1983 LA Express