MINNEAPOLIS — Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Wally Hilgenberg has died after a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. He was 66.

Friend and former Vikings tight end Stu Voigt says Hilgenberg died Tuesday morning in his Lakeville, Minn., home, surrounded by his family.

Hilgenberg played in the NFL for 16 seasons, including 12 with the Vikings from 1968 to 1979.