Matt Birk
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Career Summary
Matt Birk was an NFL center who played 15 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens.
NFL.com records 210 regular-season games and 187 starts. He played 11 seasons in Minnesota and four in Baltimore.
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Early Life
Birk attended Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The Vikings reported that Birk returned to Cretin-Derham Hall in 2015 to present the school with a Golden Football.
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High School
Birk attended Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul.
The Vikings identify Cretin-Derham Hall as Birk's alma mater.
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College Career
Birk played college football at Harvard.
NFL.com lists Harvard as his college.
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Path to the NFL
Minnesota selected Birk in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft.
The Vikings report that he was selected 173rd overall in the 1998 draft.
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NFL Career
Birk began with Minnesota and concluded his career as Baltimore's starting center.
NFL.com lists 187 starts across 210 games from 1998 through 2012. His final season ended with Baltimore's victory in Super Bowl XLVII.
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Career Accomplishments
Birk was a six-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champion, and the 2011 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
The Vikings report six Pro Bowls in Minnesota and identify him as the NFL's 2011 Walter Payton Man of the Year. In his final season, the Ravens beat the 49ers to win Super Bowl XLVII.
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Playing Style
Birk was a long-tenured starting center.
His official NFL statistical record lists 187 starts in 210 regular-season games, including 16 starts in each of his four Baltimore seasons.
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Legacy
Birk combined sustained play at center with recognized community service.
The Vikings list him as the club's Community Man of the Year from 2001 through 2008, before he later earned the NFL-wide Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
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Post-Career
Birk has participated in charitable events after his playing career.
In 2019, the Vikings reported that he hosted a Do Good Comedy Show that benefited three charities, including the Minnesota Vikings Foundation.
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Sources for this section
17790, 00-0001263, 1976-07-23, Matt Birk, Matt, Birk
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