'85 Chronology-Free Spirit

Event Date: August 6th, 1985

Event Description: Vikings Sign Millard

Source: UPI

It wasn't until 3:05 p.m. CDT that Keith Millard knew he'd be a member of the Minnesota Vikings -- and he wishes the decision would have been made about two hours later.

This way, Millard, the Vikings' No. 1 draft pick in 1984, would have missed a grueling practice. Instead, the defensive end cleared USFL waivers in time Tuesday to work out in 90 degree heat.

Nevertheless, he said he was happy to be in the NFL.

“The whole time I was in the USFL, I felt I should've been in the NFL. I have so many friends in the NFL,” the 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive end said. “But it was only for one season, I made good money, the Jacksonville fans were good and I didn't have any paychecks bounce.”

The Jacksonville Bulls released Millard on the condition he bypass a $150,000 deferred signing bonus, which he did. 

Nick Kish, vice president and player personnel director for the Bulls, had talked to Millard about switching leagues one week before the USFL regular season ended.

Millard rented a cheap apartment in Pullman, Wash., a town of 5,000, and headed for the weight room at Washington State once the USFL season ended to wait out the negotiations, which ended Sunday.

Although he was six days late in reporting to the Vikings, Millard arrived in time to help fill some gaps on the defensive line. Minnesota All Pro defensive end Doug Martin has been sidelined the last three days with back spasms while end Mark Mullaney has some aches and nose tackle Charlie Johnson is bothered by a sore neck.

Vikings coach Bud Grant would not speculate on how much Millard would play in Saturday's pre-season opener against Miami, weighing his decision on when the ex-Bull would recover from “league lag”. He's had a month off. I think it's like going from New York to Hawaii -- it'll take a while for him to adjust,” Grant said.

Millard appeared fatigued at Tuesday's workout, falling down while trying to jump over tackling dummies and often resting on one knee. Once, Grant came over to tease Millard about looking for four-leaf clovers.

“I asked Mark Mullaney and he said (Grant) was only kidding,” he said.

The Bulls' Kish said Millard “will be a great one if they can control him. He's a free spirit. He needs to be disciplined. He's got a ton of raw talent. He'll be the best defensive end they've got. He'll be one of the best five or 10 in the NFL,” Kish said.

Story-(UPI Abbreviated)