Francis Asbury "Fran" Tarkenton (born February 3, 1940) is a former NFL quarterback, Tarkenton played for the Vikings from 1961 to 1966, he was given the nicknames "The Mad Scrambler," "Frantic Fran," and "Scramblin' Fran" because he frequently ran around in the backfield to avoid being sacked by the opposition (among his other nicknames: "Sir Francis," used occasionally by Howard Cosell of ABC Sports).

Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants in 1967.  His efforts helped the Giants rally from the NFL's basement (a 1-12-1 record in 1966) to better times. In the first game of the 1969 season, Tarkenton's Giants played the Vikings. After trailing 23-10 in the fourth quarter, Tarkenton threw two touchdown passes to secure a 24-23 comeback victory over his former team.

Tarkenton was traded back to Minnesota in 1972 for three players plus a first and second round draft choice. He led the Vikings to three Super Bowls in the 1970s, but lost all of them. In Tarkenton's first Super Bowl appearance they lost to the Miami Dolphins 24–7 in Houston they lost the second to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a defensive struggle 16-6 in New Orleans and in the last Super Bowl Tarkenton would ever play (and Minnesota's last Super Bowl to date), the Vikings lost to the Oakland Raiders 32-14 at the Rose Bowl ii Pasadena.

Tarkenton won the NFL's MVP award after the 1975 season, capturing All-Pro honors in the process. Tarkenton was also second Team All-Pro in 1973 and earned All-NFC selection in 1972 and 1976. He was named second Team All-NFC in 1970 and 1974. Tarkenton was selected to play in nine Pro Bowls.

In his 18 NFL seasons, Tarkenton completed 3,686 of 6,467 passes for 47,003 yards and 342 touchdowns, with 266 interceptions. Tarkenton's 47,003 career passing yards rank him 8th all time, while his 342 career passing touchdowns is 6th all time in NFL history.  Inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 1986. Vikings head coach Bud Grant flatly called Tarkenton "the greatest quarterback who's ever played." When he retired, Tarkenton held NFL career records in pass attempts, completions, yardage, and touchdowns; rushing yards by a quarterback; and wins by a starting quarterback.

Fran signed this photo at a private signing at his office is Atlanta, Georgia in October, 2015.  The signed photo comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Triple Crown Sports Collectibles and is mailed to you in a hard plastic top-loader.  Thanks for looking and checking out my other items for sale on Ebay.  PLEASE NOTE:  I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY FRAN'S OFFICE THAT FRAN HAS RAISED HIS SIGNING FEES TO THE POINT THAT IT WILL NOT BE FEASIBLE FOR ME TO HAVE ANY FUTURE SIGNINGS WITH FRAN.  I WILL BE SELLING OFF ALL MY AVAILABLE SIGNED FRAN TARKENTON INVENTORY.  THANKS FOR LOOKING!