Matt Blair
16725 43rd Avenue North |
About Matt Blair, #59 Matt, one of six children, was born in Hawaii. With his Dad in the Air Force, he grew up all over the world. Out of high school in Dayton, Ohio, Matt was a walk-on at NEO in Oklahoma where they won the National Junior College Championship and earned a half-year scholarship. To complete the other half of his scholarship, Blair tried out for the basketball team and earned it, placing seventh in the nation in that sport. During the summer of his freshman year going into his sophomore year, Blair grew three inches and put on 45 pounds! From there, he received a scholarship to Iowa State University where he earned All Big Eight and All-American and Defensive MVP honors at the Sun Bowl. He was invited to play in these All-Star Games: East-West, Hula Bowl, and the Senior Bowl. In the 1974 NFL Draft, Blair was selected as the 51st player in the Second Round, and played his entire 12-year professional football career with the Vikings. Playing in six consecutive Pro Bowls and two Super Bowls, he managed to collect honors such as being named to the NFL All-Rookie Team, Miller "Man of the Year" for community service, and Most Valuable Linebacker in 1981 and All-Pro honors. Among other team and NFL records, Matt is second on the Vikings All Time List for tackles with 1,452; has a total of 20 1/2 blocked kicks, a Vikings record. Blair purchased his first camera his rookie year, taking pictures of his Vikings teammates, family and friends as well as places he was fortunate enough to have traveled. He taught himself, starting in the old days of film, by developing his own negatives and using slides, to what he currently uses, with digital technology.
He is passionate about photography. In 2008, Blair published his first photo book, which also contains inspirational words, called "Time Never Stops." "Photography allows me to capture a moment of time. I hope you enjoy my photographs as much as I have enjoyed taking them." Matt is still available for appearances, speaking engagements and golf tournament consulting. Simply email us using the contact information to the left. Feel free to browse and give us your comments, feedback or purchase one or more of his photographs. |
