FanPost

September 17th, 1961, it all started.


Today is the birthday of the Vikings. While we are celebrating 2010 as the 50th year of existance (Vikings were named & established on Sept. 27th, 1960), it was this date in 1961 that the Vikings first took the field. What came on that day, and soon afterwards, is one of the best franchises to play in the NFL.

Yes, we've been to the Superbowl 4 times, and haven't won. Not many teams can say they've been there multiple times, let alone one. Certainly, not many, except Dallas, can claim to have won 18 Division titles with combined playoff apperances reaching 26, and counting! We can also claim fame to the last record of the old NFL era. The Vikings won the final NFL Championship before the AFL-NFL merger, when the Superbowl became the Championship game.

Today, September 17th, back in 1961, this green team, stocked with unknowns at the time, walked onto the field of the Old Met not sure of what would transpire that day, nor the future. On that day, the Vikings, being heavy underdogs, laid the foundation of what was to come in only 7 short seasons. The Vikings shocked the world, the NFL and soon to be hated rival, Chicago Bears 37-13. The Vikings would go on to finish 3-11 that year, the first year. But it was the first, and the Vikings have given us many first's. Some good, some bad, but never dull. And here are too many more Vikings first's.

Happy Birthday Minnesota Vikings, and many more to you as well.

SKOL!

P.S. If anyone has a link to some video from that very first game, let me know where to find it. I would love to post at the end of this.

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.