Viking Saga's

since about 1970. I am from the northeast, but, have always been a fan, go figure. My dad was able to get tickets to see the Vikings play the Giants. I think it was 1975. The Giants played their home games in Yankee stadium, but, at the time, it was closed for renovations. So, they played their home games at Yale Bowl, New Haven, CT. And, for good measure, there was a blizzard that day. It goes without saying, but, the Giants were crushed that day. My one and only story, other than enduring EVERY gut-wrenching Super Bowl and playoff game they have had. But, I believe the stars are aligning this year……..

…since 1996, when I moved to Minnesota from metro Atlanta. (Yes, consider how I liked that missed field goal on January 19, 1999, since I was also Braves fan when Kent Hrbek somehow managed to introduce hockey moves into Major League Baseball! You are not allowed to hip check Ron Gant off first base!)

Yes, I watched Favre in 1991, when the Falcon faithful were screaming around me that Favre was so drunk he couldn’t tell that those guys having the native American depicted on their hats (the only people to whom he kept throwing the ball) were actually the Washington Redskins.

Now living 80 miles from the homes of the Raiders and Niners, I left Minnesota in 2008, since the pinheads at the State Fair around Dan Patch think they are greatly overtaxed and pro football is to blame. (I once lived in the People’s Republic of Taxachusetts and know better.)

I have watched NFL football in four stadiums that no longer exist, and I’m still hoping for one for the thumb.

Things change. My junior high gym teacher became the director of player personnel for my hometown team, the Cleveland Browns. (Yes, I do recall some hail Mary catch by Ahmad Rashad, and not in a very good way.)

However, I am too old and stubborn to change, so I remain a Vikings’ fan, largely by choice, and probably always will.

Perhaps I just listened to Eagles’ albums too much:

Lighten up while you still can. Just find a place to make your stand, …and take it easy.

March of 1973, when I was born. The only person in my family that was born in Minnesota. While my family will watch the Vikings at time’s, I am the only true die-hard. Most relatives live in Illinois, so you know the majority of fans. And a couple near Milwaukee. So yeah, the whole Norse Division is covered in the family if you will.

Since moving to New Mexico in 1990, that love has only intensified being stuck in the land of Donkeys and Cowpukes. Of course, with the occasional belligerent Raiders fan that thinks now that they finally won a game, after 11 losses, they’re heading to the Superbowl and will kick your ass if you disagree. Of course, me being 6’ and roughly 240, I do stand out above many here in New Mexico. hehehehe

As for fondest memories, well, that would be the first great Carter, Anthony, playing against the 49ers in the playoff game where he single handedly handed Montana and company their asses. I really rubbed it into my oldest sister who, for some God forsaken reason, had a crush on Montana. Of course, I would call him “Joe Joe the Dog Faced Boy”.

Yeah, what are younger brothers for…….MUH HAHAHAHA

Grew up in a Vikings home in Western Minnesota… I remember all of the missed Super Bowls and everything in between. The first live game I attended was in Met Stadium – I still have my Vikings stocking cap with the single bar helmet patch and the purple and gold pom. I remember a guy in the stands that day, as I huddled in my sleeping bag, wearing only shorts and a duck decoy on his head – ahhhh… whiskey can be your friend…sometimes.
I recall the inaugural season in the then ‘state of the art’ Metrodome stadium! Vikes v Jets and Mark Gastineau…
One of my favorite memories is from the 1998 season… Redskins at home on my birthday, I took my Dad. Sang the friggin’ SKOL VIKINGS song so many times that night I couldn’t speak for 3 days!!! But alas… that season came to a bitter end as a friend and I watched from Lurtsema’s ‘Benchwarmer Bob’s’ in Brooklyn Park.
I recall a string of Halloweens in which we always seemed to be playing the Bears. weird or destiny?
Finally, I’ve been fortunate enough to have been able to take in the Vikings the last 2 years here in Arizona! There is some great tailgating down here!!

SKOL VIKES!!

Suffered through the Superbowl’s and the push-off. Still, many good memories, very difficult to single out one. This one did come to mind, I thought it was pretty good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDUvyoJCrhM

and had my first bowel movement it was shaped like a Viking Horn. Then an old woman came in and rolled the bones. Marked my forehead with the ashes of dead enemies and put me in the snow for a day.

I was born a Vikings fan.

I was born in ST Croix U.S. Virgin Islands but i have lived in Minnesota all my life. I have been a vikings fan since I was 6. (1997- to the present) I love them to death even though i I am very critical of them. I have not seen any of the super bowl runs of the 70’s but the pain still burns deep But have lived through 98’ , 41-0 and most recently the 09’ heart-breaker. But i will never give up on my team no matter what. i want to see a SB title run for the Vikes more than life itself. but patience is a virtue.

We first got a television (black and white)…Saw the games that year and fell in love with them….All through school watched as they went through the gyrations of almost making it time and again…agonized and hurt with the rest of fandom…There were many things other than seeing them in action that cemented my fan-ship other than those early football watching days though….

First – I grew up in International Falls…Yes – The city with what is apparently a rectal thermometer (looks like it anyway lol) in Smoky Bear Park downtown that promotes the City’s claim to fame of being the “Icebox of the Nation!” Not TOOOO much to do other than participate in local school sports, hunt, fish, canoe, explore, snowshoe trekking, camping, oh did I mention fishing, and yes watch the Vikings!

Next to this rectal thermomer park is the local museum that has a lot of artifacts of the area and also is home to the Bronko Nagurski Museum…You all are familiar with him I am sure…It so happens he was my neighbor out on the lakeshore of Rainy Lake (used to deliver newspapers to him 5x a week). We kids talked to him in his garden (also ate his carrots from that garden lol – think he knew what we all were up to) – and of couse he was a football God for us all….

The other major factor was the school – Our Falls Senior High School colors were taken from the Vikes (Purple and Gold and named the Broncos) or at least that is the story and I am sticking to it…There was a great deal of pride in anything purple and gold, and our HS hockey team won more state championships than any other to that time…so following and playing sports and purple and gold just came natural….

I have been gone from the area for more years than I was up there….I joined the service at 17 and went on a 25 year “tour” to many places good and bad. None were the same as Rainy Lake, International falls, or Minnesota. The one thing besides family and a few friends that I HAVE retained in those years globetrotting and going to crazy holes I’d rather not have gone was the Vikes….

I go by the handle here of “vikingfanfrom afar” because that is exactly what I am and will remain until I leave this earth and go to the next stop – wherever that stop may be. Wherever that stop is…I hope they have beer and football on Sundays – whether it is “hot as the blazes” like here in Dubai (at the moment), or whether it is the “promised land” – a paradise such as Cebu Island in the Philippines (I could put any number of locations here i.e. Koh SoMui(sp?), Thailand; Hainan Island, China; or Lombak, Indonesia)….

Is it Thursday Yet????

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!