Steelers-Vikings square off in Hall of Fame Game

CANTON — The Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings will meet in this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game Sunday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. There are two historic tie-ins between the two franchises, starting with the Class of 2015 Hall of Fame inductees. Each one will be represented. Jerome Bettis, a running back who played most of his career with the Steelers, and Mick Tingelhoff, who never missed a game during a 17-year career with the Vikings, are two members of the Class of 2015. Pittsburgh and Minnesota also are linked to Super Bowl IX, with the Steelers starting their run of four championships in six years with a 16-6 win at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin also has a Minnesota connection, spending the 2006 season as defensive coordinator before he was hired by the Steelers. Minnesota veteran wide receiver Mike Wallace, a free agent acquisition, used to play for Pittsburgh. The Steelers, who went on to win two more Super Bowls, currently have a strong Ohio flavor on their roster, including five former Ohio State Buckeyes. Starting defensive end Cameron Heyward, starting outside linebacker Ryan Shazier, backup offensive tackle Mike Adams, backup strong safety Will Allen and rookie cornerback Doran Grant played for the Buckeyes. Starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (Miami), starting right outside linebacker James Harrison (Kent State), starting safety Mike Mitchell (Ohio), placekicker Shawn Suisham (Bowling Green), backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski (Toledo), backup return specialist and backup running back Dri Archer (Kent State), backup fullback Roosevelt Nix (Kent State) and rookie running back Jawon Chisholm (Akron) also played football for Ohio colleges. There is a Vikings-Stark County connection at the top…

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