Joe Senser, a former tight end for the Vikings, passed away at the age of 69, as confirmed by the team on Thursday.
Details surrounding his death remain undisclosed.
Senser played for the Vikings from 1980 until 1984, but his professional journey was marred by setbacks, including a significant knee injury, his wife’s imprisonment due to a hit-and-run incident, and a stroke that necessitated relearning basic skills like walking and speaking.
Mark Wilf, the Vikings owner and president, expressed the team’s sorrow: “The Vikings family is saddened by the loss of Joe Senser. While he was a Pro Bowler on the field, his influence on our organization and the community lasted well beyond his athletic career.” He further noted Senser’s warm personality and charitable work, saying, “Joe’s generous nature and positive spirit impacted many around him.”
Senser was drafted by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 1979 NFL Draft. In his rookie season in 1980, he led the team with 42 catches, seven touchdowns, and 447 yards.
His second season was even more remarkable; he recorded 79 receptions for 1,004 yards and eight touchdowns, earning a spot in the Pro Bowl and becoming the only tight end in franchise history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. Unfortunately, a knee injury hindered his progress and ultimately ended his playing days prematurely.
After sustaining the injury during a game against the Packers in Week 13, he underwent surgery in the off-season, but the damage was too severe for a successful return to the field.
Following his retirement in 1984, Senser joined the Vikings’ radio broadcasting team as a color commentator for the 1993 and 1994 seasons, later returning from 2001 to 2006.
He also owned Senser’s Bar & Grill, which operated in Minnesota for three decades before closing.
In 2012, Senser’s wife Amy was convicted for her role in a hit-and-run accident that resulted in a fatality. The incident involved a chef named Anothon Phantavon, who was struck and killed while refueling his vehicle late at night.
No witnesses were present at the scene, and Amy maintained that she left thinking she had merely struck a construction cone.
Amy has since been forgiven by the Phantavon family and played a crucial role in supporting Joe’s recovery after his stroke in 2016. Reflecting on their challenges, she remarked, “You never know how strong you are until you go through something tough, but once you’ve done your best and given all you can, you understand you’ll be okay.” She emphasized that they can face whatever comes next together.
