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John Sullivan
File:2009-0805-JSullivan.jpg
Sullivan at the 2009 Vikings Training Camp
No. 65     Minnesota Vikings
Center
Personal information
Date of birth: (1985-08-08) August 8, 1985 (age 38)
Place of birth: Mount Kisco, New York
High School: Greenwich (CT)
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Weight: 301 lb (137 kg)
Career information
College: Notre Dame
NFL Draft: 2008 / Round: 6 / Pick: 187
Debuted in 2008 for the Minnesota Vikings
Career history
*Minnesota Vikings ( 2008–present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
* All-Pro (2012)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2012
Games played     77
Games started     61
Stats at NFL.com

John Sullivan (born August 8, 1985) is an American football center for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Born in Mount Kisco, New York, he grew up in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, attended Greenwich High School in Greenwich, CT, and played college football for the University of Notre Dame.

Professional career[]

Minnesota Vikings[]

Pre-draft measureables
Ht Wt 40-yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP Wonderlic
6 ft 3½ in 301 lb 5.35 s 1.80 s 3.03 s 4.55 s 7.62 s 30 in 8 ft 7 in 21 rep

Sullivan went into the 2008 NFL Draft as a fifth-year senior. Although his physical attributes were less than many in his position, he was rated as the fourth-best center in the draft, projected to be picked in the third or fourth round.[2][3] The first four rounds passed with fellow centers Mike Pollak, Cody Wallace and Kory Lichtensteiger all selected ahead of Sullivan. He was eventually selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 21st pick of the sixth round (187th overall).[4]

After spending a year as backup to starting center Matt Birk, Sullivan was promoted to the starting position after Birk joined the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent in 2009. That year, he started every game as the Vikings and their new quarterback Brett Favre improved their offensive ranking to #5 in the league (#8 in passing). The following year, he struggled with a calf injury and missed back-to-back games away to the New York Jets and at home to the Dallas Cowboys, with Ryan Cook and Jon Cooper respectively filling in. He missed one more game in 2011, a Week 7 matchup against the Green Bay Packers in which Joe Berger took his place. As a reward for his efforts, Sullivan was given a five-year, $25 million contract extension by the Vikings on December 17, 2011.[5]

The following season, he anchored the Vikings' offensive line as they provided the platform for RB Adrian Peterson to reach 2,097 rushing yards for the season, eight yards short of the single-season record held by Eric Dickerson. His performances throughout the season saw him named in the Pro Football Writers Association's All-Pro team;[6] nevertheless, he missed the cut for the Pro Bowl, the center spot going to Max Unger of the Seattle Seahawks. Following the Vikings' elimination from the playoffs, Sullivan underwent surgery on microfractures in his left knee, expected to keep him sidelined for most of the offseason.[7]

References[]

  1. "John Sullivan-Notre Dame C-2008 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". Nfldraftscout.com. http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=15928&draftyear=2008&genpos=C. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  2. Pedulla, Tom (April 17, 2008). "Draft Gems: Does Notre Dame's Sullivan have Irish luck?". USA Today (Gannett). http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-04-17-draft-gems_N.htm. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  3. "John Sullivan". NFL Draft Scout. The Sports Xchange. http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=15928&draftyear=2008&genpos=C. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  4. "John Sullivan Drafted By Minnesota Vikings In Sixth Round". UND.com (CBS Interactive). April 27, 2008. http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042708aad.html. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  5. "Vikes sign John Sullivan to 5-year deal". ESPN.com (ESPN Internet Ventures). December 18, 2011. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7363381/minnesota-vikings-sign-john-sullivan-five-year-extension. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  6. Arkush, Dan (January 10, 2013). "PFW/PFWA 2012 All-NFL team". ProFootballWeekly.com (Pro Football Weekly). http://www.profootballweekly.com/2013/01/10/pfwpfwa-2012-all-nfl-team. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  7. Berreman, Brad (February 7, 2013). "Minnesota Vikings Center John Sullivan Undergoes Microfracture Surgery". RantSports (Rant Media Network). http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2013/02/07/minnesota-vikings-center-john-sullivan-undergoes-microfracture-surgery/. Retrieved March 27, 2013.

External links[]

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