Fred McNeill

Frederick Arnold McNeill (born May 6, 1952) was a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League for 12 seasons from 1974-1985. McNeill was selected out of UCLA by the Vikings in the first round of the 1974 NFL Draft with the 17th overall selection.

He played on defenses that led the NFC in fewest points allowed in 1976 and the NFL in fewest total yards allowed in 1975 and fewest passing yards allowed in 1976.

McNeill appeared in 2 Super Bowls with the Vikings, Super Bowl IX and Super Bowl XI. McNeill blocked a punt in Super Bowl XI.

During his last campaign with the Vikings, he began his studies at the William Mitchell College of Law, where graduated at the top of his class. He has had to endure chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in recent years.

McNeill was voted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.