Visanthe Shiancoe of the Minnesota Vikings Shares Thoughts on Black Coaches, Helping Others

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The New York Giants drafted Visanthe Shiancoe in the third round of the NFL Draft in 2003. He played the first four years of his career as the backup tight end for Jeremy Shockey. In 2007, the Morgan State University alum was signed to the Minnesota Vikings and has had an impressive career thus far. He’s had 125 receptions, 19 touchdowns and rushed for 1,485 yards in regular season games as a Viking.

The 6-foot-4 Maryland native of Liberian descent shared his thoughts with rolling out about the 2010 season in Minnesota and life as a professional football player.

christa e. jackson


How did you feel with all the ups and downs during the season with the coaching issues, Brett Favre and the collapse of the Metrodome?

… The adversity didn’t really derail me because I continued to work hard and just do my job. I just had to have tunnel vision and stay focused on my task.


How did you feel about Leslie Frazier having the opportunity to lead the Minnesota Vikings and become the newest African American head coach in the NFL?

It’s a great opportunity for him. … I think he’s a good guy and a good coach and he’s played before so that makes a big difference in the head coaching position too because they understand how to treat the team in all aspects.

Do you believe that with the success of coaches like Lovie Smith, Tony Dungy and Mike Tomlin that the NFL will be inspired to hire more black head coaches?

… It seems that the race issue is starting to fade a bit because of the successes of those coaches. You can see progress being made on a daily basis.


What are you doing off the field?

I am trying to do a big event in Liberia to benefit children in orphanages because the civil war there went on for about 15 years and it’s time to try to rebuild the country. I want to take a trip there and work with the president there to get some crucial work done during the off-season. I was also on the game show “Minute to Win It” with Pierre Thomas of the New Orleans Saints and we played for our favorite charities. I always try to get involved to help others.

For more information, log on to www.visantheshiancoe.com.

Superbowl Pick – The Pittsburgh Steelers

First car – 1984 Toyota Corolla

Favorite car – Rolls Royce Phantom

Favorite Vacation Spot – Miami

The Last Movie He Saw – Blow

Favorite Way to Wind Down – To have absolutely nothing to do

Guilty Pleasure – Pizza

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