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A dark cloud hovered over the Vikings in 2001. During training camp in Mankato
tragedy struck when Pro Bowl tackle Korey Stringer collapsed in the sweltering heat during practice on July 31. He never regained
consciousness and was pronounced dead early the next morning. Stringer's widow, Kelci, filed a $100 million lawsuit against
the team later that year.
On the field the team struggled, the offense had lost its swagger and the defense was in
complete disarray. Green's habit of focusing on the offense at the expense of the defense had finally caught up with him.
After nine games the Vikings record stood at 4-5. Things went downhill from there. Starting QB Daunte Culpepper and backup
Todd Bouman suffered season ending injuries which left overmatched 3rd stinger, Spergon Wynn, to start the season's last
three games.
Just when it looked like the Vikings tumultuous season would come to a peaceful close, Dennis Green resigned
just three days before the final game. Under interim head coach Mike Tice, the Vikings lost to the Baltimore Ravens, finishing
the year 5-11. It was their first losing season since 1990.
Carter's production dipped to its lowest point since 1992
(mostly because of Wynn's ineffectiveness in the last three games) - 73 catches, 871 yards, 6 TD - and his streak of eight
straight Pro Bowls came to an end. Following the season, the longest tenured Viking exercised an out clause in his contract
that ended his career in Minnesota.
Cris Carter left the Vikings as their all time leader in, among other things,
receptions (1,004), receiving yards (12,383), and touchdowns (110).
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