A Public Service Announcement From The Daily Norseman

(For added effect, play this song while you're reading this post. Thank you, Sarah McLachlan.)

Hello. My name is Christopher Gates, and I'm the lead blogger here at The Daily Norseman. In recent years, I've noticed a disturbing phenomenon taking place in the National Football League, and as Minnesota Vikings fans I'm sure you've noticed it as well. It's a trend that can be characterized as sad, disturbing, and disheartening all at the same time, and it breaks my heart to see it happen. It may have been happening prior to the past couple of years, but it is something that has really come to the forefront recently.

I'm talking about. . .Vikings fans, particularly season ticket holders, selling their tickets to games between the Vikings and the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome to. . .sigh. . .fans of the other team.

In this season of peace on earth and good will towards your fellow man, I'm asking you to put all of that aside. I assume that if you have tickets to the game on Sunday between the Vikings and the Packers at the Metrodome that you are a Minnesota Vikings fan. And as a Minnesota Vikings fan, I assume that you like going to Minnesota Vikings games and cheering for the Minnesota Vikings. With that being the case, and with this being the most important game the Minnesota Vikings have played in about three years, what sense does it make to not do just that this coming Sunday.

Don't get me wrong. . .I'm sure that the people that you would be selling your tickets to are wonderful people (outside of their deplorable taste in football teams). But think about it. . .wouldn't your Packer-cheering friends be better off in a nice, warm house this Sunday than having to make the trip in the cold and the snow all the way to the Metrodome? They could sit in a nice, comfortable chair in front of their television, snacking on foods and drinking beverages of their choosing. . .and if you love your friends, or your fellow man in general, isn't that what you want for them? To be comfortable and happy?

I'm sure the thought of a couple of extra dollars in your wallet is an enticing one as well. However, you've already shown a willingness to spend by purchasing your season tickets in the first place. You didn't buy those season tickets for your friends. . .you bought them for yourself and whoever you want to attend Vikings games with. After working hard all year long and earning your wage, don't you and your friends or family deserve to be able to celebrate with tens of thousands of your fellow Vikings fans? I think that you do. But if you still want to sell your tickets, please make sure that they're going to those Vikings fans that don't yet have tickets and would love to take your seats to cheer our favorite team to victory.

So, on this Christmas Eve, I ask of all of you Vikings fans that you stop this disturbing trend of selling your tickets to this most crucial of games for the purple and gold to fans that would wish the Vikings harm. . .not physical harm, mind you. Just that they lose the football game. The past couple of years, this game just hasn't felt like a home game for our favorite football team. That's something that needs to change this Sunday, and it starts with you. . .the Vikings fan.

Thank you, and may you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.