Joe Kapp's professional football career took an unconventional route, beginning in the Canadian Football League (CFL) before a notable transition to the National Football League (NFL). His journey highlights the distinct differences and occasional interactions between the two leagues during his playing era. Kapp's reputation as a tough, leading quarterback was forged in Canada, where he achieved significant success, before he made a rare cross-border
move to play for the Minnesota Vikings. This unique career path underscores his adaptability and the high regard in which he was held by football executives on both sides of the border.
Early Professional Years in the CFL
Kapp's professional career began in 1959 with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. This came after the Washington Redskins, who had drafted him in the 18th round of the 1959 NFL draft, failed to contact him. With no NFL offer, Kapp accepted the opportunity presented by Jim Finks, then general manager of the Stampeders. In his second season, 1960, Kapp led Calgary to their second playoff appearance since the modern era of Canadian football began, despite playing through a knee injury sustained early in the season against the Toronto Argonauts, heavily taped but without missing any games.
In 1961, Kapp's career took a significant turn when the BC Lions, the CFL's newest franchise at the time, traded four starting players to the Calgary Stampeders to acquire him. This move proved highly beneficial for the Lions. Kapp quickly became a cornerstone of the team, leading them to a Grey Cup appearance in 1963. The following season, in 1964, he guided the Lions to their first-ever Grey Cup victory, a landmark achievement for the franchise. By this point, Kapp had developed a strong reputation as a tough player and a great leader, known for his willingness to run over defenders rather than avoid contact, a trait uncommon for quarterbacks.
The Rare CFL-NFL Transaction
Before the 1967 CFL season, Kapp made the decision to pursue professional football in the United States. He garnered significant interest from several AFL teams, including the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, and Houston Oilers. However, he ultimately signed with the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. This transaction was particularly notable because it involved a multi-player "trade" between CFL and NFL teams, a type of exchange that was extremely rare between the two leagues.
The Vikings' general manager, Jim Finks, who had originally brought Kapp to Canada, and head coach Bud Grant, who had coached against Kapp in the CFL, both believed he was the ideal replacement for Fran Tarkenton, who had been traded to the New York Giants. To facilitate Kapp's move, the BC Lions traded all-star defensive lineman Dick Fouts and future Canadian Football Hall of Fame running back Bill Symons to Toronto to acquire the CFL rights to future Canadian Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Jim Young. Young had been drafted by the Vikings in 1965 and played for them in 1965 and 1966 but wanted to return to Canada. The Lions then managed to get Kapp waived out of the CFL, while the Vikings waived Young from the NFL, allowing the Lions to sign him. This intricate series of moves allowed Kapp, whose NFL playing rights were still held by Washington from the 1959 draft and subsequently claimed by the Vikings, to sign with Minnesota, marking a unique chapter in his cross-league career.
