Mary Hawkins, his wife of almost 30 years, met Rip in Denver years after his five seasons with the Vikings. She said his essence was one of “fierce determination, coupled with humility” that kept him from talking much about his playing days and statistics unless prodded by someone else.
Through her own experiences and stories from others, Mrs. Hawkins learned her husband “was the world’s biggest Teddy bear off the field but a rhino on the field.”
Hawkins was the second player ever selected by the Vikings franchise (15th overall in 1961) and made an immediate impact.