Matt Birk
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| Matt Birk | |
|---|---|
| Name | Matt Birk |
| Caption | Birk with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012 |
| Number | 77 |
| Position | Center |
| Birth date | 23 July 1976 |
| Birth place | St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Weight lbs | 310 |
| High school | Cretin-Derham Hall (St. Paul, Minnesota) |
| College | Harvard University |
| Draft year | 1998 |
| Draft pick | 173 |
| Draft team | Minnesota Vikings |
| Career start | 1998 |
| Career end | 2012 |
| Career number | 77, 65 |
| Career highlights | * Super Bowl champion (XLVII) * 6× Pro Bowl (2000, 2001, 2003–2006) * 2× All-Pro (2000, 2003) * Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award (2011) * NFL 2000s All-Decade Team |
| Stat label1 | Games played |
| Stat value1 | 210 |
| Stat label2 | Games started |
| Stat value2 | 187 |
| Stat label3 | Fumbles recovered |
Matt Birk is a former American football center who played 15 seasons in the National Football League, primarily for the Minnesota Vikings. A graduate of Harvard University, he was selected in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft and developed into a six-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro. Birk concluded his career by winning Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012 and was the recipient of the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2011 for his community service. Following his retirement, he has served in executive roles with the NFL and pursued various philanthropic and political endeavors.
Early life and education
Matt Birk was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he attended Cretin-Derham Hall High School. At Cretin-Derham Hall, he excelled in both football and basketball, playing alongside future Major League Baseball star Paul Molitor. His academic and athletic prowess attracted attention from several Ivy League schools, leading him to commit to Harvard University. Birk balanced a rigorous academic schedule in economics with his development as an offensive lineman for the Harvard Crimson football team, setting the stage for an unlikely path to professional football.
College career
At Harvard University, Birk was a four-year starter and a key leader on the Harvard Crimson football offensive line. Playing in the Ivy League, he earned first-team All-Ivy League honors following his senior season in 1997. He was recognized for his intelligence, technique, and strength, traits that helped him overcome perceptions about the level of competition in the Ivy League. His performance at the East–West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl showcased his skills against top-tier competition from schools like the University of Michigan and University of Nebraska, significantly improving his NFL Draft stock.
Professional career
Selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft, Birk spent his first season as a reserve before earning the starting center role in 2000. He quickly became a cornerstone of the Vikings' offensive line, protecting quarterbacks like Daunte Culpepper and opening holes for running back Robert Smith. Birk was selected to six Pro Bowls (2000, 2001, 2003–2006) and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2000 and 2003. After 11 seasons with the Vikings, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2009. In Baltimore, he provided veteran leadership for quarterback Joe Flacco and was instrumental in the team's victory in Super Bowl XLVII over the San Francisco 49ers, after which he retired.
Post-playing career and public life
Following his retirement, Birk was hired by the National Football League as its Director of Football Development, focusing on youth and high school football initiatives. He has been an outspoken advocate for character education and founded the "Hike Foundation" to support at-risk youth. In 2022, Birk entered politics, winning the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota as the running mate of gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen. He has also served on the board of the Minnesota Vikings Legends Community and remains active with organizations like the United Way and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Personal life
Matt Birk is married to Adrianna Birk, and the couple has eight children. He is a devout Roman Catholic and has been recognized for his faith-based initiatives and charitable work. In 2011, he was awarded the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, the league's highest honor for community service. Birk and his family reside in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, where he is also known for his commitment to fitness, having completed the Ironman Triathlon in Madison, Wisconsin. He remains a prominent figure in the Twin Cities community through his ongoing philanthropic efforts. Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:American football centers Category:Harvard Crimson football players Category:Minnesota Vikings players Category:Baltimore Ravens players Category:Super Bowl champions Category:Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award winners