Alan Page, Central Catholic Icon, Reflects on Hall of Fame Career

Page, a Minnesota Supreme Court justice, discusses his time at Canton Central Catholic and his illustrious NFL career with the Vikings and Bears.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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As Super Bowl 60 approaches, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is celebrating its Class of 2026, which includes several new inductees with ties to Stark County, Ohio. Among them is Alan Page, a defensive tackle who starred at Canton Central Catholic before going on to a dominant NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. In a virtual appearance at the Hall, Page reflected on his time at Central Catholic and the lessons he learned there about responsibility, teamwork, and exceeding one's limitations.

Why it matters

Page is one of Stark County's most celebrated sports figures, having been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 after a storied 15-year NFL career. His appearance at the Hall alongside other Central Catholic icons serves as a proud moment for the local community and highlights the enduring impact of the school's football program.

The details

During the event, Page spoke humbly about his Hall of Fame enshrinement and the Presidential Medal of Freedom he received in 2018 for his work as a Minnesota Supreme Court justice. He credited his time at Central Catholic with instilling values like responsibility, teamwork, and the ability to exceed one's perceived limitations. Page also expressed a deep reverence for his former head coach, Lowell Klinefelter, and other Central Catholic figures in attendance.

  • Page was first eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, but was not elected until 1988.
  • Page played in the fourth, eighth, ninth, and eleventh Super Bowls with the Vikings, before the game was played in larger, more modern stadiums.
  • Page retired from the NFL after the 1981 season.

The players

Alan Page

An 80-year-old former defensive tackle who played for the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, and was the first Black person to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Lowell Klinefelter

The former head coach of the Canton Central Catholic football team, where Page played, for 41 years.

Jeff Lindesmith

The current head coach of the Canton Central Catholic football team, succeeding Klinefelter.

Roger Duffy

A former offensive lineman who played at Canton Central Catholic under Klinefelter and later had a long NFL career.

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What they’re saying

“Let's be honest here. The things I have done were not done with an eye on awards and recognition. Quiite frankly, with the things I had the good fortune to be a part of, while the recognition has come, it's not clear to me I am worthy of it.”

— Alan Page, Former NFL Player and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice

“I think of the practice field, the things I learned there about being responsible for what you do on the field, making sure you're supportive of those around you, working hard, being able to focus on the task at hand … being taught to control what you can while you're out there, giving it everything you have.”

— Alan Page, Former NFL Player and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.