Former Minnesota Vikings star Joe Senser has died at the age of 69.
The Vikings selected the tight end in the sixth round of the 1979 NFL Draft and he went on to play four seasons with them.
He caught 165 passes for 1,822 yards and 16 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 1981. However, Senser’s career was cut short by a knee injury.
In 2011, his wife Amy was convicted in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Minneapolis. She spent two years in prison.
Senser suffered a massive stroke in 2016 that left him needing to learn how to walk and talk again.
Vikings owners Mark Wilf and Zygi Wilf said in a statement: ‘The Vikings family is saddened by the loss of Joe Senser.
Former Minnesota Vikings star Joe Senser has died at the age of 69, the team has announced
Senser’s wife, Amy, was convicted in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Minneapolis back in 2012
He caught 165 passes for 1,822 yards and 16 touchdowns but his career was cut short by injury
‘Joe was a Pro Bowler on the field, but his impact on the organization and in the community was felt long after his playing days.
‘Joe was a generous soul with countless charitable endeavors. He brought his positive personality to every interaction he had, whether it be with former teammates, Vikings staff or our family when we became stewards of this franchise.
‘Joe’s warmth and welcoming spirit will last in the memories of those who knew him.’
Amy Senser was sent to prison for the 2011 hit-and-run death of 38-year-old Anousone Phanthavong, a chef at a now-closed restaurant, on a dark freeway ramp in Minneapolis.
He had just finished work at 11pm and was putting gas in his stalled car when he was struck and killed by the SUV Senser was driving.
She told investigators she left the scene because she believed she struck a construction cone or barrel. There were no witnesses.
Phanthavong’s body, which was thrown 50 feet, was found on the ramp, along with pieces of Senser’s Mercedes-Benz.
A jury in 2012 convicted Senser of two counts of criminal vehicular homicide — one for leaving the scene and a second for failing to call for help. She was acquitted of a third count of gross negligence.
Following his NFL retirement, Senser opened two sports bars in Minnesota that bore his name for over 30 years. Both have since closed. He also served as a Vikings commentator from 1993 to 1994 and 2001 to 2006.
