"He's fast, he's strong, he's aggressive and his motor never quits running."--Green Bay Packers' quarterback Brett Favre.

Today John Randle--All-Pro defensive tackle of the Minnesota Vikings--is one of the highest paid players in the National Football League (NFL). He got there through hard work and an intensity that lifted him from an undrafted free agent (a player able to sign a contract with any team) in 1990, to his position as one of the most feared defensive players in the league. For seven straight seasons (1992-98) Randle recorded more than 10 quarterback sacks during the regular season and in 1998 he was a vital part of a Vikings squad that won 15 games and was the best team in the NFL.

Growing Up

Dirt Poor

John Randle was born December 12, 1967, and he grew up in Hearn, Texas. Randle and his two brothers were raised by his mother, Martha, who made $23 a...