Longtime Minnesota Vikings athletic trainer and team historian Fred Zamberletti died Sunday at the age of 86. He had been a part of the Vikings organization since its inception and attended over 1,000 consecutive games between 1961 and 2011.
The #Vikings are devastated by the loss of longtime athletic trainer and team historian Fred Zamberletti.
Zamberletti was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 1998.
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— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 2, 2018
Zamberletti’s legacy left an imprint with nearly every former and current member of the franchise, and his passing brought about an outpouring of memories.
From Mark and Zygi Wilf: “Fred was a staple of the franchise since its founding, helping build the Vikings from an expansion club in 1961 to a team ingrained in the fabric of life for Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. Fred worked tirelessly, at one point building a streak of 1,049 consecutive Vikings games attended, and was loved by everyone throughout the organization – players, coaches and staff. He cared deeply about the health of his players as well as their lives off the field. With his incredible stories and his passion for the team, he was respected by us as owners. Each of us inside the Vikings has our own personal memories we shared with Fred and those will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with the entire Zamberletti family today.”
From general manager Rick Spielman: “Fred Zamberletti was the epitome of a Minnesota Vikings icon. He was more to players than just an athletic trainer; he was a friend, a mentor and a father figure who earned respect and admiration from everyone he encountered. If there was a category in the Hall of Fame for athletic trainers, Fred would be at the top of the list for inductees. We will miss him dearly.”
From COO Kevin Warren: “When I reflect upon the legacy of Fred Zamberletti, I think of a man who was loyal, intelligent, hard-working, tough and dedicated. Fred was a true Renaissance man. He was incredibly knowledgeable about wide-ranging subjects and could capture your attention with his storytelling ability. We rarely discussed football and primarily focused on family, faith, music and life. Fred had a powerful and unique ability to relate to everyone and was a man with a huge heart who deeply loved God and spent every day striving to make the world a better place. My prayers are with the Zamberletti family.”
From former RB Robert Smith:
A special man that will be greatly missed. I cussed you out so many times when you had me running laps in training camp recovering from ACL surgery! You were the greatest Freddie- RIP my friend… https://t.co/5EempY8TPr
— robert smith (@Robert26Smith) September 2, 2018
From head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman:
Rest in Peace Fred – A HOF Athletic Trainer and an perfect example for all health care professionals that strive to make a difference with compassion, honesty & trust.
Fred Zamberletti, Vikings’ first and beloved ex-athletic trainer, dies at age 86 https://t.co/4ecZ9vZuVy— Eric Sugarman (@EricSugarATC) September 2, 2018
Zamberletti was inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor in 1998. He was born in Melcher, Iowa in 1932.
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