Mark Kellar

Mark Peter Kellar (July 17, 1952 – November 23, 2023) was an American professional football running back who played three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 1974 NFL draft. He played college football at Northern Illinois University. Kellar was also a member of the Chicago Fire, Chicago Winds, and San Antonio Wings of the World Football League (WFL).

Early life Kellar earned two varsity letters in football, two in basketball and three in track at Irving Crown High School in Carpentersville, Illinois. He finished third in the state discus throw his senior year. He also earned All-Tri-County Conference honours in all three sports. Kellar was part of the inaugural class of inductees into the Dundee-Crown Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

College career Kellar played for the Northern Illinois Huskies from 1971 to 1973. He led NCAA Division I-A in rushing yards with 1,719 in 1973. He set a school record for career rushing yards with 3,745 and also scored 33 touchdowns. Kellar played in the North-South Shrine Game his senior year in 1973. He was a three-time team co-MVP from 1971 to 1973 and was voted Huskies quad-captain in 1973. Kellar was also named an Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press, United Press International, Football News and Kodak during his college career. He was named to the All-Time Huskie Stadium Team in 1995 and the Huskies' All-Century Team in 1999. He was selected by the Chicago Fire of the WFL in the seventh round (82nd overall) of the 1974 WFL Draft. He rushed for 778 yards and nine touchdowns on 189 attempts during the 1974 season. Kellar also accumulated 28 receptions for 342 yards and six touchdowns. He signed with the WFL's Chicago Winds in 1975. The Winds folded only a few months into the 1975 season.