Ex-Rookie of the Year Paul Flatley dies at 84

Field Level Media|published: Sun 16th March, 20:47 2025

Richmond native Paul Flatley was the NFL's Rookie of the Year in 1963 for the Minnesota Vikings and an All-Pro in 1966. A week before that game, Flatley attended the first Super Bowl in Los Angeles. Rchbrd 02 07 2016 Rch 1 D006 2016 02 06 Img Flatley Vikings Jpg 1 1 Jidcjogv L756380738 Img Flatley Vikings Jpg 1 1 Jidcjogv

Former NFL Rookie of the Year Paul Flatley of the Minnesota Vikings has died, the team said Sunday. He was 84.

Flatley died on Saturday, according to the team.

The #Vikings are mourning the loss of Paul Flatley.

Flatley, a former Vikings receiver and the 1963 AP NFL Rookie of the Year, passed away Saturday at the age of 84.https://t.co/WkWxdEGgAo pic.twitter.com/ZXCpfOm19X
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 16, 2025

Flatley played the first five of his eight NFL seasons (1963-70) with the Vikings before finishing up with the Atlanta Falcons. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1966.

He burst on the scene with a then-franchise record 51 catches for 867 yards and four touchdowns in a 14-game season in 1963.

Flatley caught 50 passes two other times for the Vikings. He established career bests of 896 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches in 1965.

Overall, Flatley caught 306 passes for 4,905 yards and 24 touchdowns in 106 NFL games (96 starts).

Flatley played college football at Northwestern. He was a fourth-round pick in the 1963 draft.

--Field Level Media