Kyle Rudolph is known around Cincinnati for graduating from Elder High School in 2008. Kyle’s nickname is “Rudy”, which comes from his last name Rudolph. Kyle was known for being a tight end for the Elder football team. Kyle was a 6′-6″ stellar athlete in high school.
During his junior season for the Panthers, Kyle caught 30 passes for 400 yards and seven touchdowns. After his junior season he earned first team all-city and all-conference honors.
As a senior in the fall of 2007, Kyle caught 37 passes for 673 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was known for long receptions, and averaged 18.2 yards per catch during his senior season.
Following his senior season Kyle was named first-team all-American by USA Today. He was the lone tight end among 11 finalists for the high school Maxwell Award. Kyle received first-team All-Southwest Ohio. He was invited to play in the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Kyle Rudolph was also a standout basketball player for Elder High School. He played center throughout high school. He was the conference player of the year three times. He is currently the second-leading scorer in Elder history and became just the second Panther to surpass 1,000 career points.
Kyle was rated as the best tight end and the 20th best overall recruit in the class of 2008. He was offered various scholarships from many remarkable college football programs. Kyle accepted a scholarship from Notre Dame over Michigan, Tennessee, and Ohio State.
During Kyle’s freshman year at Notre Dame he started all 13 games for the Irish. He became the first freshman to ever start a season opener at tight end for Notre Dame. Kyle had 29 receptions for 340 yards and two touchdowns. Kyle set a school record for receptions by a freshman tight end in a single season during the game. He also set a school record for single-season receiving yards by a freshman tight end.
As a sophomore in 2009, Rudolph participated in only ten games with nine starts, missing three due to a shoulder injury. Kyle was named semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, which was presented to college football’s most outstanding tight end. He was the only sophomore to be named a semifinalist. Kyle ended the season ranked third on the team with 33 receptions for 364 yards and three touchdowns. 17 of his 33 receptions resulted in first downs.
Rudolph had his promising 2010 junior season derailed by a hamstring injury that ended his season after six games. Kyle set a Notre Dame record for most receiving yards in a game by a tight end against Michigan with 164 yards. More than half of the yardage coming after he hauled in the second-longest pass play in school history with a 95-yard touchdown. Rudolph finished his final collegiate season with 28 receptions for 328 yards and three touchdowns. He ended his three-season career at Notre Dame ranked among the all-time leading tight ends in school history.
After his junior season, Rudolph decided to declare for the 2011 NFL Draft. Kyle was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 43rd overall pick. He was the first tight end selected in the draft.
Kyle Rudolph’s career with the Minnesota Vikings was truly remarkable. Kyle played a total of 10 season with the Vikings, where he became a fan favorite.
As a tight end, he consistently showcased his skills and made significant contributions to the team. Rudolph’s reliable hands and ability to make clutch catches were killer in many crucial moments throughout his time with the Vikings. Kyle’s iconic play for the Vikings was when he caught the game-winning TD pass in the 2019 Wild Card win at New Orleans, the 2nd postseason TD of his career.
He formed a strong connection with his quarterbacks, becoming a trusted target in the red zone and on third downs. Kyle holds record for most career TD receptions by a TE in franchise history with 47, and is fifth all-time among all Viking players. Rudolph’s touchdown receptions and key plays helped propel the Vikings to victory on numerous occasions. Kyle was voted to the Pro Bowl twice in 2012 and in 2017. He started in 81 consecutive games; a franchise record among TEs and the longest active streak among active NFL TEs. He has the 5th-most receptions in franchise history with 425.
Kyle was cut by the Vikings and signed to play for the New York Giants in 2021. Rudolph started 13 out of 16 games for the Giants. Kyle had 26 receptions for 257 yards and one touchdown. Kyle was temporarily at the Giants for just one season.
Kyle Rudolph was added to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster in 2022. Rudolph struggled to make the field and had a unimpactful season with the Buccaneers. Rudolph suited up for just nine games, his lowest total since 2014. He was only targeted five times as a member of the Buccaneers. He caught three of his five passes for 28 yards and a touchdown. Kyle’s single touchdown was the 50th of his career. The 50th touchdown catch of Rudolph’s career was easily the most memorable play he made during his stint with Tampa Bay. To cap off Tampa’s opening drive Tom Brady rolled right and threw the ball in for Rudolph on a corner route for six.
Kyle announced his retirement from football on September 4, 2023 at 33 years old. Kyle said he’ll officially retire as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. Rudolph says the Vikings will honor him at their Week 3 game against the Chargers. His remarkable football career has finally come to a close after his 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Throughout his career, Kyle tallied an impressive 482 catches for 4,773 yards and 50 touchdowns.
Kyle Rudolph’s best season was in 2016 with the Minnesota Vikings. Kyle had 83 receptions for 840 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged a total of 52.5 yards per game.
Kyle’s impact extended beyond the game itself. He was known for his community involvement and generous efforts. Kyle was a true role model both on and off the field.
Kyle teamed with Second Harvest Heartland to create Rudy’s Meal Plan which donated 82,000 meals to kids in need due to Covid 19 in the spring of 2020.
Kyle Rudolph was the Minnesota Vikings nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
He received $5,000 for the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital for receiving the 3rd-most votes in the 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year Challenge on social media. Kyle Rudolph’s End Zone, an interactive space that provides a respite from everyday hospital life, was unveiled in December of 2017. This year, his holiday-themed get-togethers around the holidays have had to be virtual, but he’s still connecting with and encouraging patients and families who are facing tough challenges in life. Kyle spends countless hours at Masonic Children’s Hospital hosting and participating in events, like his annual Holiday Huddles.
Kyle was named the Minnesota Vikings Community Man of the Year in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Kyle has made an indelible mark on the hearts and lives of countless families through his work at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital.
“Minnesota is home for us. We feel like we have so many roots that we’ve laid here and feel so entrenched in this community that it would be hard for us to kind of start over anywhere else,” Rudolph added.
Kyle was married to his wife Jordan in 2016 and has since welcomed 3 children, twin girls Andersyn and Finley, and son, Henry. Kyle moved permanently to Minnesota in the summer of 2023.
While it’s sad to see him retire, it’s also an exciting time for him as he embarks on a new chapter in his life. Retirement opens up opportunities for personal growth and new adventures. We can’t wait to see what Rudolph accomplishes in the next phase of his journey.
Rudolph said he will begin working as a Big Ten analyst for Peacock, and co-host a Sunday night show on Fox Sports Radio this upcoming fall. Fans will always cherish the memories he created and the impact he had on the game and in the community.
