John Sullivan (center) life and biography

John Sullivan is an American football center for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.

• Stepped into starting role at center for 2009 and opened every game in his 2nd pro season.
• 3-time state wrestling champion as a prep in Connecticut.

OFF THE FIELD

Active in Twin Cities community with visits to the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital, helping teammate Steve Hutchinson host holiday meals for patients and their families...Avid sporting clays shooter at Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club...Graduated with degree in marketing in spring semester 2007 and played his senior season of football at Notre Dame while enrolled in graduate studies...Attended same high school as former 49ers great Steve Young...Excelled in wrestling, winning heavyweight state titles as a sophomore, junior and senior and placed 7th in national meet.

PRO
Joined rookie RT Phil Loadholt in 2009 as new starters along the Vikings line...Held down middle of the Vikings line in 2009, his 1st season as a starter, opening all 16 games and both playoff contests...Was the 4th C drafted in 2008 and became the 1st Notre Dame C drafted since 2003 when Jeff Faine was taken by Cleveland in the 1st round...The last Notre Dame C the Vikings drafted was Dave Huffman, #43 in 1979...The last Irish player selected by the Vikings was Vikings Radio Network color analyst Pete Bercich, #211 in 1994...Recruited to Notre Dame and played his freshman and sophomore seasons under former Vikings assistant coach Tyrone Willingham.

2009
Had impressive debut season, starting every game during the regular season and playoffs...Helped Vikings offense rank #5 in the NFL and ranked #8 in passing offense, a 17-position jump from the previous season...Paved the way for Adrian Peterson to rush for 1,383 yards and set a Vikings record with 18 rushing TDs...Protected QB Brett Favre, who joined the team following training camp, to post his best statistical season...Along with rookie RT Phil Loadholt, made debut as a starter along the line.

2008
Played in all 16 regular season games and the Wild Card Playoff contest vs. Philadelphia (1/4/09)...Saw time on special teams as part of kickoff return unit.

COLLEGE

Starter in BCS Bowl games as a sophomore and junior, opening the Sugar Bowl vs. LSU as a junior and Fiesta Bowl vs. Ohio State as a sophomore...Guided Irish to 10-3 mark in 2006 and 9-3 record in 2005...Played final 3 seasons in South Bend under former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis...Played in 47 and started 43 games for the Irish...Paved the way for a 1,000-yard rusher as a sophomore and junior and protected Brady Quinn as a sophomore and junior as he threw for 3,000 yards...Served as 1 of 5 Irish captains as a senior...Preseason All-America choice by Street & Smith as a senior...Started all 12 games as a sophomore.

Named Gatorade’s Connecticut Player of the Year as a senior at Greenwich High...Named All-America by SuperPrep and Parade while earning 2nd-team notice by USA Today and ESPN.com...Selected to U.S. Army All-America Bowl game in San Antonio...Helped team to 12-1-1 mark as a senior and a berth in the state title game...Posted 138-6 record as a heavyweight wrestler, winning 3 state championships.

Read more