From the University of Minnesota, Dick Garmaker was drafted (twice due to the strange rules at the time) by the Minneapolis Lakers, where the Guard translated his collegiate success as a Golden Gopher, where he was a 1955 Consensus All-American to his home state Lakers. 

After playing sparingly as a rookie, Garmaker blossomed in his second season, averaging 16.3 Points per Game, which was good enough for tenth overall.  Garmaker made the next three All-Star Games, again putting up solid scoring and shooting percentages, though he was far from a flashy player.  The Minnesotan helped the Lakers reach the 1959 Finals where they were swept by Boston, but that would be nearing the end of his stay with the Lakers.  He was traded during the 1959-60 Season to the New York Knicks, where he played only one full season.  It was a good year (15.6 PPG) and he had his best Field Goal Percentage (.440), but Garmaker abruptly retired after, rendering his career to only seven years.

From the University of Minnesota, Rick Upchurch came to the Denver Broncos in 1975, and like many Wide Receivers, he was used as a returner as a rookie.  This was the role in which he was he would primarily be used in his first four seasons.  In that time span, he was a Pro Bowler and a First Team All-Pro Selection twice and was regarded as the premier Punt Returner in the NFL.

The New England Patriots would have a lot of talent come wear their uniform, but only one of them would have the nickname of "Mr. Patriot."