Before the modern dual-threat quarterback, there was Fran Tarkenton — the Minnesota Viking who ran around behind the line of scrimmage when almost nobody else did, and who retired holding the NFL's passing records. A Fran Tarkenton jersey is a piece of Vikings history you can wear on a Sunday in purple, and this guide covers every version we stock: the purple 2023 F.U.S.E., the purple team colour, the purple and white Mitchell & Ness throwbacks and the Salute to Service styles, with real detail on fit, size and care.
| Version | Colour | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purple 2023 F.U.S.E. | Vikings purple, modern cut | $69.95 | The everyday first jersey |
| Purple Team Color | Vikings purple, classic cut | $69.95 | Fans who want a looser fit |
| Mitchell & Ness Purple Throwback | Purple throwback, vintage cut | $69.95 | Collectors of the Tarkenton era |
| Mitchell & Ness White Throwback | White throwback, vintage cut | $69.95 | Second jersey and summer wear |
Why No. 10 belongs in every Vikings collection
Minnesota drafted Tarkenton out of Georgia in 1961, and by the end of that decade he was the most unusual quarterback in football: a scrambler in an era when quarterbacks were supposed to stand still and throw. He was traded to the New York Giants in 1967, then came back to the Vikings in 1972 and took them to three Super Bowls. When he retired he held the NFL records for passing yards and touchdown passes, and in 1975 he was named the league's Most Valuable Player.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986. That combination — the records, the MVP, the Hall of Fame, and a career spent almost entirely in purple — is why No. 10 still sells alongside Randy Moss and Justin Jefferson jerseys in Minnesota. It is the retirement-era jersey in the same closet as the modern one.
Which Fran Tarkenton jersey should you buy?
Purple is the answer for most fans — it is the colour the Vikings have always worn at home, and it is what a Tarkenton jersey looked like on television in the 1970s. The choice after that is about cut and era.
The purple F.U.S.E. is the modern pick. A trimmer, lighter jersey with the stitched limited detailing, and the one to buy if you want a Tarkenton jersey that fits like the current Vikings jerseys in your closet.
The purple team colour style is the classic fit. Same purple, roomier cut, and the easier wear if you are layering or prefer a looser jersey on game day.
The Mitchell & Ness purple throwback is the collector's jersey. Built to vintage specifications with the retro nameplate and sleeve detail of the era Tarkenton played in — the correct jersey if you want it to look like 1973, not 2026.
The white throwback is the second jersey. Same vintage build in white: the one that works best in summer heat, and the natural pairing if you already own the purple throwback.
What number did Fran Tarkenton wear for the Minnesota Vikings?
Fran Tarkenton wore No. 10 for the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota drafted him out of Georgia in 1961, and after a stint with the New York Giants from 1967 to 1971 he returned to the Vikings in 1972 and finished his career there in 1978. No. 10 is the number stitched on every Tarkenton jersey we carry — the purple 2023 F.U.S.E., the purple team colour style, the Salute to Service editions and the Mitchell & Ness purple and white throwbacks. He retired holding the NFL records for passing yards and touchdown passes, was named the league's MVP in 1975 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986, so there is no number change to track across eras. The rule when you order stays the same: the number in the product title is the number printed on the jersey. Every style here is stitched, in stock, and ships from US warehouses in about 5-8 business days with tracking.
Fit, sizing and care for a Vikings jersey
The F.U.S.E. cut runs true to a Nike-style athletic fit, so order your normal shirt size and size up only if you plan to layer a hoodie underneath. The team colour style is roomier through the body, and the Mitchell & Ness throwbacks are cut boxier again, closer to a 1970s jersey. If vintage authenticity matters more than a tailored fit, stay with the throwback in your normal size.
Purple is a colour that shows fading early, so a few habits are worth building. Turn the jersey inside out before washing, use cold water on a gentle cycle, and hang it to dry — never tumble dry a stitched jersey. Do not iron the numbers, nameplate or sleeve stripes directly, store the jersey on a wide hanger so the shoulders hold their shape, and keep it out of long stretches of direct sunlight.
Game day styling and where to keep shopping
Purple is a statement colour, so keep everything else simple: black or grey jeans, plain sneakers, and a Vikings cap only if the weather calls for it. In the colder months, layer a hoodie underneath the jersey instead of over it so the No. 10 stays visible.
Every colourway above sits in our Minnesota Vikings jersey collection, and if you are building a Vikings set we already have guides for the Justin Jefferson jersey, the Randy Moss jersey and the JJ McCarthy jersey. For the wider league picture, start from our football jersey hub.
Is a Fran Tarkenton jersey true to size?
The F.U.S.E. and team colour styles run true to a modern athletic fit. Mitchell & Ness throwbacks are cut boxier and closer to a vintage jersey — stay with your normal size unless you want it tighter.
Are the numbers stitched or printed?
Every edition in this guide is stitched, including the numbers, nameplate and sleeve details. A heat-pressed jersey would be labelled as such in the product title.
Why is Tarkenton listed as a Vikings player if he also played for the Giants?
He played for Minnesota from 1961 to 1966 and again from 1972 to 1978, and he is best remembered in purple — every jersey in this guide is a Vikings jersey, which is the version our collection stocks.
How long does shipping take?
US orders usually arrive in 5-8 business days, with tracked express options at checkout if you need it sooner.
A Tarkenton jersey is the safest kind of purchase in this hobby: the records and the Hall of Fame induction are already written, so the jersey never depends on next season. Pick your cut — modern F.U.S.E. or vintage throwback — and grab your size while both are in stock.
