ATLANTA – The elevator dinged and opened its doors, revealing the 17th floor of the bustling office building. Fluorescent lights illuminated the space, while the sun shone through the windows, casting a warm glow on the gray walls. Down a narrow hallway, a room with a cracked door beckoned.
Inside sat Fran Tarkenton, his glasses perched on the tip of his nose as he held an iPad in his hands. Upon noticing the visitor, he eagerly set the tablet down on his desk, removed his glasses, and gestured for the guest to take a seat across from him.
Despite being 84 years old and 63 years removed from his NFL debut, Tarkenton exuded enthusiasm as he prepared to regale tales of his time in the league. Mentions of business moguls like Warren Buffett and Steve Jobs, NFL stars such as Patrick Mahomes and Kirk Cousins, legendary coaches like Nick Saban and George Halas, and prestigious golf courses like Augusta National and Pebble Beach flowed effortlessly from his lips.
With colorful language and animated gestures, Tarkenton entertained thoughts of attending the Week 1 Vikings-New York Giants game, marking the latter team’s 100-year anniversary. As a Pro Football Hall of Famer who had made his mark with the Giants, the invitation to the game made perfect sense, especially against the Vikings – the team that had witnessed Tarkenton’s rise to greatness.
Amidst signing a purple No. 10 jersey with a silver-inked Sharpie, Tarkenton seamlessly transitioned back to the conversation at hand, showcasing his ability to engage in multiple tasks at once. Known as “The Scrambler” or “Scramblin’ Fran,” Tarkenton was a trailblazer in his heyday, showcasing a style of play that was reminiscent of present-day stars like Patrick Mahomes.
When asked about how his scrambling abilities would fare in today’s game, Tarkenton pondered the question, offering insights into how his dynamic playing style would have translated to the modern era. The conversation flowed effortlessly, much like Tarkenton’s on-field antics in his prime.
