It is not every day a player from an NCAA Division II football program makes an NFL roster. Now cut that number down further for the number of those players who are able to play several seasons in the league.
Former St. Cloud State football player Keith Nord played seven seasons for the Minnesota Vikings from 1979-85 after signing as a free agent. After his playing career ended, Nord spent time as a motivational speaker.
Nord died Thursday at the age of 61 after a battle with stomach cancer. He is survived by five children and his wife, Jenn.
“It’s a sad day,” said former St. Cloud State teammate Rick Theisen, a retired ROCORI High School teacher and football coach.
Former St. Cloud State teammate Gary Frericks, a St. Cloud Apollo High School graduate, stayed in contact with Nord over the years. Frericks said Nord called him in early June to tell him he had stage 4 stomach cancer.
