14 Facts About Jim Kleinsasser

Jimmy Carter Kleinsasser is an American former football tight end who played for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.

Jim Kleinsasser played college football for the North Dakota Fighting Sioux and played for the Vikings his entire career after being selected in the 1999 NFL draft.

At Carrington, Jim Kleinsasser was a starter on the 1995 Class B State Championship basketball team.

Jim Kleinsasser attended the University of North Dakota and played for the North Dakota Fighting Sioux from 1995 to 1998 before being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 1999.

At North Dakota, Jim Kleinsasser was a three-time first-team All-North Central Conference selection and a two-time Division II All-American, in 1998 was the only Division II football player selected as a Gannett News Service All-American.

In 1998, Jim Kleinsasser had 45 receptions for 710 yards and 86 rushing yards.

Jim Kleinsasser was named as a member of the 2025 class of the College Football Hall of Fame on January 15,2025.

Jim Kleinsasser was selected as a tight end in the second round of the 1999 NFL draft.

Jim Kleinsasser demonstrated remarkable durability throughout his career, playing in all 16 games up to 2010, except for missing 15 games because of an knee injury in 2004.

In 2007 and 2008, Jim Kleinsasser was named to USA Today All Joe Team honoring hard workers and under-recognized players.

Jim Kleinsasser continued his 13-year career with the Vikings in the 2011 season.

Jim Kleinsasser ranked second in team history for starts made by a tight end with 119, and ranked fourth in catches by a tight end in Vikings history.

Jim Kleinsasser's blocking skills paved the way for seven of the top eight single-season rushing marks in Vikings history, including Adrian Peterson's then team record and NFL leading 1,760 yards in 2008.

Jim Kleinsasser retired at the end of the 2011 NFL season after 13 seasons with the Vikings.