Anthony Ronald Yary was born in Chicago, Illinois and attended the University of Southern California. He was the 1967 winner of both the Outland Trophy and the Knute Rockne Award, awards that annually go to the nation's top collegiate lineman. He was the first overall pick of the 1968 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Yary played from 1968 to 1981 with the Minnesota Vikings, and 1982 with the Los Angeles Rams. During Yary's tenure with the Vikings. The team won 11 division titles. During that period, Minnesota won the 1969 NFL championship and NFC titles in 1973, 1974 and 1976. and played in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX and XI. Yary was named All Pro 6 times. He played in seven consecutive Pro Bowls. He became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.