Watch CBS News

Kleinsasser Has Big Crowd At Dome For Final Game

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Vikings are doing their best to make Jim Kleinsasser's final game a memorable one.

The team chartered two buses and gave 125 tickets to people from Kleinsasser's hometown of Carrington, N.D., so they could come to the season finale against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Many wore his No. 40 jersey and carried signs that read "Thanks for the memories Jim."

Kleinsasser has spent all 13 of his NFL seasons with the Vikings after being a second-round draft pick out of North Dakota in 1999. He has appeared in more games than any tight end in Vikings history.

Kleinsasser officially announced last week that he is retiring. He was the last player introduced and received a nice ovation after coming out of the tunnel for the final time.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.