The Minnesota Vikings announced that former tight end Joe Senser died Thursday at the age of 69.
The cause of death has not been confirmed.
Senser was a sixth-round pick by Minnesota in 1979, out of West Chester in his home state of Pennsylvania. He is the only tight end in franchise history with more than 1,000 yards in a season.
Senser also worked as a color commentator for the Vikings Radio Network in 1993-94 and from 2001-06.
"The Vikings family is saddened by the loss of Joe Senser," Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf and Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf said in a statement. "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."
After his playing career, Senser became involved with a chain of sports bars around the Twin Cities. Those "Joe Senser's" locations eventually included Roseville, Bloomington, Eagan and Plymouth. All have now closed.
Senser would do whatever it took to make the team, recalls former WCCO radio Sports Huddle host Dave Mona.
"They're having early practice, as the story goes, and Greg Coleman is on the other team," Mona says. "And it's like a punting drill, and you just come in and you kind of wave at the football and that's it. But Senser beat his man on the line of scrimmage, came in, made contact with Coleman, and Coleman looked at him and he said, 'hey, what are you doing?' And Senser says, 'sorry man, I'm just trying to make the team and get noticed.'"
Due to knee injuries, however, he only played four years. Despite that, Mona thinks of Senser as one of Minnesota's all-time greats.
"I think that there's a good chance that he may be the next guy who gets into the Viking Ring of Honor," Mona explains. "He's not there yet, but when you look at his accomplishments, and who's not in there, I'd say Joe's name, especially with the notoriety, that this will get in. Kind of a sad way, I think people will take another look at it. I wouldn't be at all surprised in the next year or two to see him get in there."
But it's who he was off the field, even as a restaurant owner.
"He was so amiable and such a friendly guy," Mona adds. "And he remembered names, so people in the restaurant would be regulars, and Joe knew everybody. Had the name and made his way around and worked the floor, and told stories. That was just simply who he was. That really stood out."
Senser's family found the news spotlight after his now ex-wife Amy was convicted in 2011 following a fatal hit-and-run crash in Minneapolis. Amy Senser spent two years in prison.
In 2016, Senser suffered a stroke that required him to learn how to walk and talk again.
