Paul Flatley, a former NFL Rookie of the Year, has passed away.

The team announced Sunday that Flatley, the 1963 Associated Press NFL Rookie of the Year for the Minnesota Vikings, died at the age of 84.

The team stated he passed away on Saturday, but no additional details were provided.

The #Vikings are mourning the loss of Paul Flatley.

Flatley, a former Vikings receiver and the 1963 AP NFL Rookie of the Year, passed away Saturday at the age of 84.https://t.co/WkWxdEGgAo pic.twitter.com/ZXCpfOm19X

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 16, 2025

Flatley played in 64 games and had 202 catches for 3,222 yards and 17 touchdowns in his career with the Vikings.

He would be traded to the Falcons in 1968, where he spent three years

In 106 games with 96 starts, Flatley caught 305 passes for 4,905 yards and 24 touchdowns. He made it to the Pro Bowl in 1966.

Paul Flatley Spent His First Five Seasons With The Minnesota Vikings

Richmond native Paul Flatley was the NFL’s Rookie of the Year in 1963 for the Minnesota Vikings and an All-Pro in 1966. A week before that game, Flatley attended the first Super Bowl in Los Angeles.

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Paul Flatley, a Richmond, Ind., native, was selected by the Vikings with the No. 44 overall pick in the fourth round of the 1963 NFL draft out of Northwestern.

His good play with the Vikings led to him being named the Associated Press Rookie of the Year that season after hauling in 51 passes for 867 yards and four touchdowns.

His 51 receptions that year set a franchise record that stood until 1998.

He would play the first five of his eight NFL seasons in Minnesota, recording 202 receptions for 3,222 yards and 17 touchdowns as a member of the Vikings.

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