Matt Birk facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Matt Birk

Birk with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012
No. 75, 78, 77
Position:	Center
Personal information
Born:	(1976-07-23) July 23, 1976 (age 49) Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	310 lb (141 kg)
Career information
High school:	Cretin-Derham Hall (Saint Paul)
College:	Harvard (1994–1997)
NFL Draft:	1998 / Round: 6 / Pick: 173
Career history
Minnesota Vikings (1998) Baltimore Ravens (2009)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLVII) Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award (2011) 2× First-team All-Pro (2003, 2010) 6× Pro Bowl (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007) 50 Greatest Vikings
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 210 Games started: 187 Fumble recoveries: 5
Player stats at PFR

Matthew Robert Birk (born July 23, 1976) is a former professional football player. He played as a center for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played mostly for the Minnesota Vikings.

Matt Birk was born and grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He played college football for the Harvard Crimson. The Minnesota Vikings chose him in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL draft. For his first two seasons, he was a backup offensive lineman.

In 2000, he became the starting center. He was chosen for six Pro Bowls and two All-Pro first-teams during his career. After the 2008 season, Birk joined the Baltimore Ravens. He retired from the NFL after the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII. In 2011, he received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

After retiring in 2012, Birk moved back to Minnesota. He helped start a Catholic school in Burnsville in 2019. He is active in community causes and local Republican politics. In March 2022, Birk joined Scott Jensen's campaign for governor of Minnesota. Jensen and Birk ran against the current governor, Tim Walz, and lost the election.

Early Life and College Football

Matt Birk went to Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was a top athlete in football, basketball, and track and field. He earned honors in all three sports, including Academic All-State. Birk finished high school in 1994.

He then attended Harvard University to play college football for the Harvard Crimson. While at Harvard, he received many football honors. He was named All-Ivy League and All-New England. Birk graduated from Harvard University in 1998 with a degree in economics.

Professional Football Career

Playing for the Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings picked Matt Birk in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL draft. He was the 173rd player chosen overall. Sports Illustrated called him a promising player from the Ivy League.

Birk with the Minnesota Vikings in 2002

In his first two seasons with the Vikings, he played in 22 games as a backup. In 2000, he became the starting center. He started all 16 games that year and was chosen for his first Pro Bowl. Birk started every game for the Vikings at center from 2000 to 2003.

In 2004, Birk had surgery and missed the last four games. He then missed the entire 2005 season due to a hip injury that also needed surgery.

Birk returned strong in 2006. He led the Vikings' offensive line and earned his fifth Pro Bowl selection. In 2007, he was named Minnesota Vikings Man of the Year for the sixth year in a row. He also earned his sixth Pro Bowl selection. This tied him with Mick Tingelhoff for the most Pro Bowl appearances by a Vikings center.

In 2010, the Minnesota Vikings celebrated their 50th anniversary. The team ranked Matt Birk as one of their 50 greatest players. He returned to the Vikings' home stadium, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, for its final game. The team made him an honorary captain for that game.

Playing for the Baltimore Ravens

In 2009, Matt Birk signed a three-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. The deal was worth $12 million.

In March 2012, Birk signed a new three-year deal with the Ravens. He won his first championship, Super Bowl XLVII, against the San Francisco 49ers. Birk announced his retirement from the NFL on February 22, 2013. He finished his career with the Ravens with two fumble recoveries.

After His NFL Career

After retiring, Birk briefly worked as the NFL director of football development. In 2019, he helped start Unity Catholic High School in Burnsville, Minnesota. He has also been involved in politics with the Minnesota Republican Party.

In February 2013, Birk announced he would donate his brain for research. This research helps scientists study brain injuries in athletes. He had experienced three concussions since high school.

Political Involvement

Matt Birk has been active in politics. In 2012, he spoke out about marriage laws in Maryland and Minnesota. He also chose not to attend a meeting with President Barack Obama after the Super Bowl win. This was because of differences in political views. In January 2018, Birk spoke at the annual March for Life event.

Running for Lieutenant Governor in 2022

Birk campaigning at the 2022 Minnesota State Fair

In March 2022, Scott Jensen announced Matt Birk as his running mate for governor of Minnesota. They challenged Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. Birk was known as a conservative who had spoken about marriage laws. He also shared concerns about the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Republican party supported their campaign in May 2022.

Jensen and Birk generally trailed in polls of Minnesota voters. Walz and Flanagan released their tax returns before the election, but Jensen and Birk chose not to. Birk had a strong and direct style during the campaign. He played a very active role, even having his own campaign website and materials.

Personal Life

In 2010, Sporting News named Matt Birk the sixth-smartest athlete. He scored very high on the Wonderlic Test, which measures intelligence.

Birk is a Catholic. He and his wife, Adrianna, have eight children. Adrianna volunteers at a center that helps pregnant women.

Community Work

In 2002, Birk started the HIKE Foundation. This is a nonprofit organization that helps young people in the Twin Cities area. It focuses on improving reading skills for kids who are at risk. In 2011, Birk received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. This award recognized his dedication to helping young people learn to read.

See also

In Spanish: Matt Birk para niños