Matt Birk is a former American football center who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. He was born on July 23, 1976, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and attended Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul. Birk played college football at Harvard University, where he was a standout offensive lineman and earned All-Ivy League honors in each of his four seasons.
Birk was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Vikings, where he established himself as one of the league's top centers. Birk was a six-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro selection during his time in Minnesota. He was also named the Vikings' Man of the Year in 2006 for his community service work.
In 2009, Birk signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent. He played four seasons with the Ravens, where he continued to be a reliable and consistent performer on the offensive line. Birk helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, the first and only championship of his career.
Birk retired from the NFL after the 2012 season. He played in 210 regular-season games and 11 playoff games over the course of his career. Birk was known for his intelligence, toughness, and leadership on and off the field. He was also highly respected for his philanthropic work, particularly his efforts to promote education and combat childhood obesity.
After retiring from football, Birk became an advocate for healthy living and education. He founded the HIKE Foundation, which provides educational opportunities for at-risk children in the Baltimore area. Birk also wrote a book, "All-Pro Wisdom: The 7 Choices That Lead to Greatness," which shares his insights on leadership and personal development.
In 2018, Birk was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding career at Harvard. He remains a beloved figure in both the Minnesota and Baltimore communities, where he is remembered for his excellence on the field and his commitment to making a positive impact off the field.
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