Former St. Cloud State football standout and Minnesota Vikings player Keith Nord ’79 passed away Sept. 19 after a battle with cancer.
The team, along with Nord’s family, made the announcement early Wednesday afternoon.
After an outstanding high school career at Minnetonka High School, Nord made the transition from star quarterback to standout defensive back at St. Cloud State, etching his name in the program record books for years to come.
From 1975-1979, Nord was a four-time letter winner and was voted team captain and most valuable player during his senior season in 1979.
St. Cloud State football player Keith Nord runs with the football in a game against the University of Minnesota-Morris, October 1978.
Nord was a member of the All-Conference and District 13 team during his career with the Huskies and was the winner of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference’s Glen Galligan Award. He was voted into the Huskies Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.
After graduating from St. Cloud State, Nord signed as a free agent with the Vikings in 1979 and played with his hometown team for seven seasons, serving as both a special teams captain and kick returner. In seven years, Nord recorded one touchdown, a 70-yard kickoff return and one interception.
Follwing his NFL career, Nord was a motivational speaker and was widely recognized for his philanthropic work. He participated in St. Cloud State’s summer leadership program and was widely recognized for his community contributions, particularly by being named the March of Dimes Citizen Athlete and the Muscular Dystrophy Citizen Athlete.
Nord is survived by his wife, Jen, and their five children. He was 60 at the time of his passing.
