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NFL Draft: Tommy Mason from University of Tulane first pick by Minnesota Vikings

The 1961 NFL draft took place at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia on December 27–28, 1960. The league would later hold an expansion draft for the Minnesota Vikings expansion franchise.

The 1961 NFL draft took place at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia on December 27–28, 1960. The league would later hold an expansion draft for the Minnesota Vikings expansion franchise. This draft was also the first regular draft for the Dallas Cowboys as they had only participated in the 1960 NFL expansion draft that year.

The Cowboys held the worst record in the NFL the previous season, but selected second in this draft because the expansion Vikings were awarded the first overall pick. The Vikings used that pick to select running back Tommy Mason.

Historical Significance

The 1961 NFL draft took place at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia on December 27–28, 1960.

Events Before

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  2. Chad becomes an autonomous republic in the French Community

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  3. USSR's Luna 1 becomes the first spacecraft to escape Earth's gravity

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  4. TV western "Rawhide," starring Clint Eastwood, premieres on CBS

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  5. Plane crash known as "The Day the Music Died" kills musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J. P. Richardson (aka The Big

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Events After

  1. Gabrielle Carteris is born

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  2. Longest recorded strike ends as Danish barbers' assistants end their 33-year strike

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  3. Berry Gordy signs The Supremes to Motown Records

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  4. First live, nationally televised presidential news conference, held by JFK

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  5. "I Fall to Pieces" single released by Patsy Cline (Billboard Song of the Year 1961)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 27, 1960?
The 1961 NFL draft took place at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia on December 27–28, 1960. The league would later hold an expansion draft for the Minnesota Vikings expansion franchise. This draft was also the first regular draft for the Dallas Cowboys as they had only participated in the 1960 NFL expansion draft that year.
Why is NFL Draft: Tommy Mason from University of Tulane first pick by Minnesota Vikings significant?
The 1961 NFL draft took place at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia on December 27–28, 1960.

Explore More

December 27 in HistoryYear 1960