Joe Senser, a former Minnesota Vikings tight end and radio analyst, passed away on Thursday, May 7. He was 69.

The cause or circumstances of his passing are not yet disclosed. The Vikings issued a statement, mourning their loss. 

“The Vikings family is saddened by the loss of Joe Senser," franchise owners Mark Wilf and Zygi Wilf conveyed via the official Vikings website.  "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." 

After playing at West Chester, Senser was a sixth-round pick, 152nd overall, in the 1979 NFL Draft. His career was cut short by a knee injury. He played for the Vikings between 1980 and 1984, but sat out the 1983 season entirely because of his injury. 

In his second NFL season, he had 79 catches for 1,004 yards and eight touchdowns. It was his career-best record that led to a Pro Bowl selection in 1981.

"Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to a knee injury, or he would have taken his place as a true Legend and would have had a hugely productive career with the Vikings," Vikings Ring of Honor linebacker Scott Studwell said.

Senser’s 79 receptions in 1981 stood as a franchise benchmark for the Vikings' tight ends until Kyle Rudolph reached 83 catches in 2016. That record was later broken by T. J. Hockenson, who totaled 95 receptions and 960 yards in 2023.

However, he still remains the only tight end in franchise history to have amassed over 1000 yards in a season. 

But his promising career ended in 1984 with just eight game appearances and one start.

Joe Senser’s Life After The NFL

According to The New York Post, after the NFL, Senser suffered a stroke. He had to re-learn how to walk and talk. But he carried on.

Senser entered the broadcast booth after retiring in 1984, joining the Minnesota Vikings radio team as a color commentator for the 1993 and 1994 campaigns and again from 2001 to 2006.

He was also a well-established businessman in the Twin Cities. The former NFL player owned Senser’s Bar & Grill, which operated locations across Minnesota, but it shut down 30 years later.  

His charitable endeavors were mentioned in Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf's statement.

“Joe was a generous soul with countless charitable endeavors," he said. "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.”

Our condolences remain with the Senser family. 

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar